conferred on

USAGE SUMMARY

'conferred on' is an effective and accurate phrasing for written English.
You can use it when you wish to indicate that something has been given, granted, or awarded to someone. Example: The medal of honor was conferred on him for his bravery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For instance, what rights should be conferred on people who spend a quarter of their time in one city?

TechCrunch

In it he's conferred on him many titles and honorifics.

The New Yorker

Degrees were conferred on 500 undergraduates on Sunday.

The New York Times

The two captains had quietly conferred on another matter, too.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't need to have them conferred on me.

The New York Times

The label of geek conferred on very good spellers is trumped by the mystique conferred on the very best speller: the nuclear glow of No. 1.

The New York Times - Magazine

(The grandiloquent title of "generalissimo" was conferred on him by the Chinese government in 1932).

The New York Times - Books

This power has been conferred on a blanket basis to all PCSOs.

The Guardian - Opinion

For two hours they conferred on changes of Long Island estate.

The New Yorker

Honorary knighthoods conferred on foreigners are rare but not unknown," it said.

The Guardian

Archives|BIGGEST CLASS ENDS COURSE AT FORDHAM; Cardinal Hayes Presides at Commencement -- Degrees Conferred on 224.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conferred on" to denote the formal act of granting a degree, title, right, or honor. It adds a touch of formality and is suitable for academic, legal, and official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "conferred on" in informal contexts where a simpler term like "given to" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conferred on" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of formally bestowing something (such as a title, degree, or right) upon a recipient. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage, highlighting its role in formal communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

24%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conferred on" is a formal phrasal verb used to describe the act of officially bestowing something upon someone. As shown by Ludwig, this expression is most commonly found in news articles, academic publications, and encyclopedias, indicating its prevalence in formal writing. It's crucial to reserve it for contexts where formality and precision are required. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers examples demonstrating its consistent use across diverse authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bestowed upon

Implies a formal or ceremonial giving of something, often an honor or privilege.

granted to

Suggests permission or authorization being formally given.

awarded to

Specifically refers to the act of giving a prize or recognition.

given to

A more general term for transferring possession or responsibility.

invested in

Indicates endowing someone with power, authority, or resources.

entrusted with

Highlights the act of assigning responsibility or a duty.

delegated to

Refers to assigning a task or responsibility to someone else.

assigned to

A neutral term for giving someone a task or duty.

accorded to

Implies granting something as a right or privilege.

presented to

Suggests a formal giving of something, often a gift or award.

FAQs

How can I use "conferred on" in a sentence?

Use "conferred on" when you want to express that something (like a title, degree, or honor) has been formally given or granted to someone. For example, "An honorary degree was conferred on the visiting professor."

What's a good alternative to "conferred on"?

Alternatives to "conferred on" include "bestowed upon", "granted to", or "awarded to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "conferred to" instead of "conferred on"?

No, the correct phrasing is "conferred on". "Conferred to" is grammatically incorrect. The preposition "on" is essential when using "conferred" to indicate the recipient.

What's the difference between "conferred on" and "given to"?

"Conferred on" implies a formal or official act of granting something, often a title or honor. "Given to" is a more general and less formal way of saying that someone received something. For example, a medal might be "conferred on" a soldier, while a gift is simply "given to" a friend.