confer upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"confer upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally means to give someone something, usually something important or special, in a formal or ceremonial manner. For example, "The King conferred upon her the title of Princess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And what would that confer upon a person in Australia in the year 2014?

The Guardian - Sport

What authority the statute purports to confer upon the board is a question of construction.

Cornell University

But both women evidently view the Birkin as a talisman that should confer upon them a whispered, quiet verdict: classy.

The New York Times - Style

Her husband seems to define her largely by her physical advantages, which confer upon him an aura of sexual potency.

The New Yorker

But Miranda July's Somebody app is designed to confer upon you a purpose: it makes talking to strangers your mission.

The Guardian - Tech

Because the Michigan Legislature didn't confer upon the Michigan Supreme Court in that case any special authority of judicial review?

The New York Times

ordinary occupation of land, the law of nuisance will not confer upon me any such special and extraordinary protection.

Harvard University

In the formation of a government, the people may confer upon it such powers as they choose.

Cornell University

Furthermore, the Missouri statute providing for reciprocal privileges in levying inheritance taxes did not confer upon Massachusetts any contractual right.

Cornell University

Moreover, his considerable stature -- he is often mentioned as a possible successor to Mr. Greenspan -- will confer upon the new board some sorely needed credibility.

The New York Times

Or is it a shrewd attempt to confer upon the movies a legitimacy that may not be warranted by their artistic ambitions?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confer upon" when you want to emphasize the formality or significance of bestowing something. It adds a sense of importance and tradition to the action.

Common error

Avoid substituting "upon" with prepositions like "on" or "to" in formal writing. While "confer on" might be acceptable in informal contexts, "confer upon" maintains a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confer upon" primarily functions as a transitive phrasal verb. It describes the act of formally bestowing something onto someone. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it often involves granting rights, titles, or qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

28%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "confer upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to formally give or bestow something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its strength lies in emphasizing the significance of the act of bestowing, making it particularly suited for formal contexts like news reporting, academic writing, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "bestow on" or "grant to" exist, "confer upon" retains a distinctive formality. A key usage tip is to reserve it for contexts where formality and emphasis are desired. Common errors include substituting "upon" with less formal prepositions, which diminishes the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bestow on

Focuses on the act of formally giving or presenting something as a gift or honor; less formal than "confer upon".

grant to

Emphasizes the action of giving permission or rights, often from a position of authority.

accord to

Focuses on granting status, respect, or treatment.

award to

Specifically relates to giving a prize or recognition for achievement.

give to

A more general and less formal way of expressing the act of giving.

present with

Highlights the ceremonial aspect of giving something.

endow with

Suggests providing someone with a quality or attribute.

invest in

Implies formally giving someone a title or office.

bequeath to

Usually refers to leaving something in a will.

assign to

Suggests allocating or designating something to someone.

FAQs

What does "confer upon" mean?

The phrase "confer upon" means to give or bestow something such as a title, honor, benefit, or right to someone in a formal or official way. It suggests a deliberate act of granting something significant.

How to use "confer upon" in a sentence?

You can use "confer upon" in sentences like: "The university may "award to" the graduates an honorary degree", or "The new law will "grant to" citizens certain rights".

What are some alternatives to "confer upon"?

Alternatives to "confer upon" include "bestow on", "grant to", "award to", "give to", and "present with". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to use "confer on" or "confer upon"?

"Confer upon" is generally considered more formal and traditional than "confer on". While "confer on" is acceptable in many contexts, "confer upon" adds a heightened sense of importance and ceremony.