conferral

USAGE SUMMARY

'conferral' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the action of granting or bestowing something onto someone, such as a privilege, award, or title. For example, you could say, "The conferral of knighthood on the Duke was a grand affair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A telephone conferral with the etiquette consultant Letitia Baldrige resolved the issue: she suggested that hungry heads of state have been slaughtering lamb for centuries, and the Host Committee agreed.

The New Yorker

To avoid judicial objection, that duty would be defined in the law: "Conduct that is free of self-dealing and free of unlawful or unauthorized conferral or intended conferral of a benefit to a public servant".

The New York Times

It is likely they will be mostly rentals, and the conferral of a tax abatement will require 20 percent to be affordable housing units, said Michael Stern, the managing partner of JDS.

The New York Times

Bean saw the conferral of titled distinctions as inconsistent with the values of mateship, equality, democracy and larrikinism which he attributed to the Anzacs and praised as quintessentially Australian.

The Guardian - Opinion

A university spokeswoman said its senate had approved Howard's conferral last December and Bob Hawke would receive an honorary doctorate later in the year.

The Guardian

So I completed my PhD, but I had no money to attend the conferral ceremony.

The Guardian

[Brief conferral] Gav says most people would say Haile Gebrselassie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The conferral of life is one of the essential qualities of the human imagination.

The New Yorker

Founded in 1969 to honor the year's best novel published in Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth, the Booker Prize has acquired so much prestige that its conferral is an event of national importance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Such conferrals of legitimacy are thought to discourage diversity.

SEP

Hence, on this view, it is both the case that the experts' say-so alone suffices to make mere real things into artworks, and also true that experts' conferrals of art-status have reasons (McFee, 2011).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conferral" to emphasize the formal or official nature of granting something, such as a degree or title.

Common error

Avoid using "conferral" interchangeably with terms like "conferment", "granting", or "bestowal" if the context does not imply a formal or official act of bestowing something. Each term has nuances that might make it more appropriate depending on the specific situation.

Linguistic Context

The noun "conferral" functions as a nominalization, representing the act of conferring something. Examples from Ludwig show it describing the action of bestowing titles, awards, or benefits. It highlights the process of granting or formally presenting something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conferral" is a noun that signifies the act of formally granting or bestowing something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable term, particularly when emphasizing the official nature of the act. It finds common usage in news, scientific, and formal contexts, denoting the solemnity of an award, title, or privilege being bestowed. While synonyms like "bestowal" and "granting" exist, "conferral" is preferred when the formality of the situation needs highlighting. To avoid errors, ensure its usage aligns with the intended emphasis on officialdom. By understanding its nuanced meaning and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively utilize "conferral" to add precision to their language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conferment

A synonym focusing on the formal act of bestowing a degree or honor.

bestowal

Focuses on the act of formally presenting something as a gift or honor.

granting

Emphasizes the permission or authorization aspect of the action.

awarding

Highlights the act of giving something as a prize or recognition.

presentation

Refers to the formal act of giving or showing something.

allocation

Emphasizes the distribution of resources or responsibilities.

imparting

Focuses on the act of sharing knowledge or qualities.

assignment

Highlights the act of allocating a task or responsibility.

delegation

Emphasizes the act of entrusting authority to someone.

endowment

Focuses on providing resources or qualities permanently.

FAQs

How is "conferral" typically used in a sentence?

"Conferral" is generally used to describe the act of formally giving or bestowing something, often an honor or title. For example, "The "conferral of the award" was a momentous occasion."

What are some synonyms for "conferral"?

Synonyms for "conferral" include "bestowal", "granting", "awarding", and "conferment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "conferral" and "conferment"?

"Conferral" and "conferment" are largely synonymous, both referring to the act of conferring. "Conferral" might be slightly broader, while "conferment" often implies a more formal or official process.

When is it appropriate to use "conferral" over a simpler word like "giving"?

Use "conferral" when you want to emphasize the formality, ceremony, or official nature of the act of giving. It's more suitable for situations like the "conferral of degrees" than everyday instances of giving.