confide with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'confide with' is not correct and usable in written English.
Instead, you could use the phrase 'confide in'. For example: She confided in her best friend about her secret.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As John Naughton noted on these pages last month, it's difficult to square Confide with the US legal requirements to archive all communications within the presidential team.

The Guardian - Tech

When Ms. Griffith steps to the edge of the stage to confide, with a mix of bewilderment and resignation, "I am older than I ever wanted to be," it resonates as never before.

The New York Times

Saldivar's lawyer, however, insisted that Selena had met his client there to confide with her away from her father's watchful eye.

Los Angeles Times

Confide with your therapist about your feelings and how you hate life.

WikiHow

Confide with your veterinarian about use of tranquilizers during the weaning process to calm the calves and to minimize weight loss.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Bigger byline," she confides with a broad grin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Long live Benazir! "She was right, thank God!" one of her aides confided, with relief.

The New Yorker

A lot of times," she confided with a laugh, "we came close to killing each other.

The New York Times

"I now take seminars in rooms I once occupied," he confides with a wry smile.

The Guardian

Long live Benazir! ** "She was right, thank God!" one of her aides confided, with relief.

The New Yorker

SERVICE -- Professional and confiding, with a long lag before the main course.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "confide in" instead of "confide with". The preposition "in" is grammatically correct and widely accepted when expressing the act of sharing secrets or personal information with someone you trust.

Common error

Avoid using "with" after "confide". "Confide" requires the preposition "in" to correctly express the act of entrusting someone with personal information. Using "with" is a common grammatical error that should be avoided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confide with" is generally intended to express the act of sharing personal or secret information with someone. However, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "confide in".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confide with" is an incorrect usage. The correct form is "confide in". While Ludwig provides examples of "confide with" appearing in various sources, Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically flawed. Always opt for "confide in" when you mean to share secrets or personal information with someone you trust. Alternatives include "share secrets with", "open up to", and "divulge to". Remember that clear, grammatically correct language strengthens your message and builds credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confide in

This is the correct preposition to use with "confide", indicating trusting someone with secrets.

tell in confidence

Highlights the expectation that the information will be kept secret.

take into one's confidence

Describes the act of establishing a relationship of trust where secrets can be shared.

share secrets with

Focuses on the act of sharing rather than the trust implied in "confide".

open up to

Emphasizes the act of becoming vulnerable and sharing personal feelings.

entrust with a secret

Highlights the act of giving someone responsibility for keeping a secret safe.

unburden oneself to

Focuses on the speaker's relief in sharing a burden.

divulge to

Implies revealing something previously unknown or private.

disclose to

A formal way to say reveal, often used in legal or official contexts.

reveal to

A more general term for making something known.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the word "confide"?

The correct way to use "confide" is with the preposition "in", as in "confide in someone". The phrase "confide with" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean to "confide in" someone?

To "confide in" someone means to trust them enough to share personal secrets or private information.

Can I say "confide to" instead of "confide in"?

While you might "reveal to" someone, the correct usage with "confide" is to use "in". Saying "confide to" is not standard English. Instead, consider alternatives such as "reveal to" if you want to use that preposition.

Are there any alternatives to "confide in" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "share secrets with", "open up to", or "take into one's confidence" depending on the context.