conferred about it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conferred about it" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would typically involve "conferred" being used with "on" or "upon" rather than "about." Example: "The committee conferred on the new policy changes during their meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What does happen is we have conversations," Rather says -- usually to confer about joint appearances at charitable or civic events.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Lewis's presentation of himself to women, and to the men with whom he conferred about women, had a polemical edge to it, a toxicity entirely lacking, as far as one can tell, in John's sexual munificence.

The Guardian - Books

Henry R. Muñoz III, the finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said the party's top fund-raisers conferred about the race at a meeting in Washington last week, reviewing it along with long-anticipated contests for governor in New Jersey and Virginia.

The New York Times

After about 45 minutes of argument, Mr. Fisher and his five questioners conferred about the strengths and pitfalls of his argument.

The New York Times

Even as the former president held forth at his home, prosecutors conferred about the grounds on which they would appeal the ruling to Zambia's High Court.

The New York Times

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell also conferred about North Korea with the foreign ministers of Russia, China and the European Union, according to administration officials.

The New York Times

Some players showered and got dressed to leave the park, but fans were streaming in, and Yankees security officials conferred about how the players would leave.

The New York Times - Sports

The St .Petersburg Times reported Monday that team officials had conferred about Bonds and other veteran unsigned free agents, like Kenny Lofton and Mike Piazza.

The New York Times

As Capitol Police conferred about what to do, the protesters chanted: "No cuts to Medicaid — save our liberty!" In some cases, police officers physically moved protesters.

The Washington Post

(Have you noticed that neuro- has become the new nano-?) In online discussion groups, grad students confer about which philosophy programs are "experimentally friendly" the way, in the 1970s, they might have conferred about which programs were welcoming toward homosexuals, or Heideggerians.

The New York Times - Magazine

The molecular structure of Co1 highlights the ring puckering of both the ortho-cyclopentyl substituents and the two pyridine-fused seven-membered rings; a square-based pyramidal geometry is conferred about the metal center.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "conferred about it". Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "discussed it" or "consulted on it" to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is using "confer" with "about" when it should be used with "on" or "upon". For example, say "The committee conferred on the new policy" instead of "The committee conferred about the new policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conferred about it" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Typically, the verb "confer" is used with prepositions like "on" or "with". As Ludwig AI suggests, more appropriate alternatives include phrases like "discussed it" or "consulted on it".

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conferred about it" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, the verb "confer" is more appropriately used with prepositions such as "on" or "with". Consequently, alternative phrases like "discussed it" or "consulted on it" are recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. Given its grammatical issues, it's best to avoid using "conferred about it" in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Discussed it

Replaces "conferred" with a more common synonym, simplifying the expression.

Talked about it

Uses a more informal term for discussion, suitable for casual contexts.

Consulted on it

Focuses on seeking advice or expert opinion on the subject.

Had a discussion about it

Adds more emphasis on the act of having a discussion.

Spoke about it

Similar to "talked about it" but can imply a more formal setting.

Considered it

Emphasizes the act of thinking carefully about something.

Deliberated on it

Suggests a more formal and thorough discussion, often in a group.

Exchanged views on it

Highlights the sharing of opinions and perspectives.

Shared insights on it

Focuses on sharing deeper understandings or perspectives.

Brainstormed it

Implies a group activity focused on generating ideas and solutions.

FAQs

What are some correct alternatives to "conferred about it"?

Instead of "conferred about it", you can use phrases like "discussed it", "consulted on it", or "talked about it" depending on the context.

Is "conferred about it" grammatically correct?

No, "conferred about it" is not grammatically correct. The verb "confer" is typically used with the prepositions "on" or "upon". For example, "The award was conferred on him" is correct.

How can I use "confer" correctly in a sentence?

Use "confer" with "on" or "upon" to indicate bestowing something (e.g., "The university conferred an honorary degree on the author"). To indicate a discussion, use "confer with" (e.g., "I need to confer with my colleagues").

What is the difference between "confer with" and "discuss"?

"Confer with" implies a more formal discussion or consultation, often involving an exchange of opinions to reach a decision. "Discuss" is a more general term for talking about a topic. You might "confer with" experts and then "discuss" the findings with a broader group.