confirming

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "confirming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when confirming something that has been previously mentioned or discussed. Example sentence: I called my boss to confirm the meeting time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It took the unusual step of confirming the private medical visit following the flurry of speculation on social media about her health.

The Guardian

Scott said he let them enter the country after confirming that their business meeting was genuine.

The Guardian

Managed by McLean since 1971, the club had enjoyed a decade and a half of success, consisting of two League Cup wins, a first Premier League title in 1982-83 and five further Cup final defeats, confirming their progression from the smaller club in Dundee to their part in the "New Firm" in Scotland.

The Guardian - Sport

The years after the cold war and the tearing down of of "this wall" were the chance for we musos to play our part in confirming the cultural liberation of eastern Europe.

The Guardian - Music

"No, I don't," he says, confirming he is not an aficionado of Mr Desmond's porn titles.

The Guardian

There's also a chance that both worlds might collide with Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos confirming that there have been discussions about including Netflix characters in Marvel's cinematic universe.

The Guardian - Film

Confirming the UK's withdrawal, the new Foreign Office minister, Lady Anelay, highlighted an "unintended pull factor"' of search and rescue: "that it encourages more migrants to attempt the dangerous sea crossing, thereby leading to more tragic and unnecessary deaths".

The Guardian - Opinion

"If the Scottish experiment worked, it could make a pure residence charge look sensible rather than extreme, and thereby pave the way for its introduction in England and Wales," said Letwin, confirming the long-made but never confirmed charge that Thatcher treated people in Scotland as "guinea pigs" for England and Wales.

The Guardian

"Going green does not have to cost the Earth," the chancellor said, apparently without a hint of irony – shortly after confirming that the Energy Companies Obligation is to be watered down, and just before announcing the abolition of the fuel duty escalator.

The Guardian - Opinion

Labour won well and that counts: not just in adjusting the Westminster mood, which is growing less critical of Ed Miliband, but in confirming that an immediate general election would almost certainly leave Labour as the largest party and perhaps give it a majority.

The Guardian - Opinion

With my name logged in the book, I received a card confirming membership of the Sour Toe Cocktail Club – and then immediately emailed my friend to apologise for having dismissed his story.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confirming" to indicate that something already suggested or suspected is now known to be true. It is suitable in situations where there is pre-existing information or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "confirming" when introducing entirely new information. It's best suited for situations where something is already suspected or has been previously mentioned. Otherwise, consider using "stating" or "announcing".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "confirming" is as a present participle or gerund. As a present participle, it often acts as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is confirming"). As a gerund, it functions as a noun (e.g., "Confirming the appointment is essential"). Ludwig AI provides examples supporting these usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confirming" is a versatile term primarily used to validate or verify pre-existing information. It functions grammatically as a present participle or gerund and carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for a wide range of formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI shows the high frequency of "confirming" in news and media, emphasizing its role in reporting and substantiating facts. To avoid misuse, remember that "confirming" is most effective when reinforcing previously mentioned information rather than introducing new details. Considering alternative phrases like "verifying" or "validating" can also add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verifying

Emphasizes the process of checking the truth or accuracy of something.

validating

Suggests that something is being proven to be correct or legitimate.

affirming

Implies a strong declaration or assertion of the truth.

corroborating

Highlights the act of providing additional evidence to support a claim.

substantiating

Focuses on providing evidence to prove the truth or validity of something.

attesting to

Suggests a formal declaration or testimony to the truth of something.

acknowledging

Implies recognizing or accepting the existence or truth of something.

establishing

Focuses on setting something as a fact or proving its existence.

demonstrating

Emphasizes showing or proving something clearly.

authenticating

Highlights the act of proving something is genuine.

FAQs

How can I use "confirming" in a sentence?

You can use "confirming" to indicate that something suspected or suggested is now known to be true. For example, "The study is "confirming" the initial findings".

What are some alternatives to "confirming"?

Alternatives to "confirming" include "verifying", "validating", or "affirming", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "confirming" or "to confirm"?

"Confirming" is the present participle or gerund form of the verb, while "to confirm" is the infinitive form. The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence. For instance, "Confirming the details is crucial" uses the gerund, while "We need to confirm the details" uses the infinitive.

What's the difference between "confirming" and "informing"?

"Confirming" implies verifying something already suggested or known, while "informing" means providing new information that was previously unknown. Use "confirming" when corroborating existing information and "informing" when introducing something new.