confirming to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confirming to" is not grammatically correct in written English.
A better construction would be "conforming to," which means to comply or adhere to rules or regulations. Example: The product must conform to safety standards set by the government before it can be sold on the market.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But what he is really doing is confirming to rank-and-file Republicans that he's at war with everybody".

The New York Times

With her serene and bitter smile, Junon is a monster, calmly confirming, to Henri's face, that she never loved him.

The New Yorker

Another favourite explanation is that by misbehaving, drunks are confirming to themselves that, however extreme their misbehaviour, someone will always be there to look after them.

The Guardian

Since confirming to my own school community that I'm gay and had been bullied, I have founded a charitable organisation called Inclusion for All.

The Guardian

This was not a particularly memorable encounter in confirming to semi-final stereotype, but Aberdeen were always the more menacing side.

The Guardian - Sport

Then they lost three straight to the Florida Marlins, blowing leads in games six and seven and confirming, to some, the "Curse of the Billy Goat".

The New Yorker

They spoke briefly, confirming to the judge that they understood their right to attend, or choose not to attend, other hearings in the next few days.

The New York Times

Multiple casualties have been reported, with North West Ambulance Service confirming to The Independent that at least four people have been taken to hospital.

Independent

Women, in particular, are targeted if the Ershad decide they are wearing a "bad hijab" - not confirming to their strict interpretation of modest Islamic dress.

Independent

The usual contingent of American wine merchants were mostly absent, confirming to many at the fair that American ill will over France's opposition to the war in Iraq bruised more than egos.

The New York Times

And she has shown guts by being one of the first out of the blocks, confirming to the BBC's Andrew Neil on Sunday that she is running in the leadership contest and setting out her diagnosis of Labour's defeat.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To convey the meaning of validation or verification, consider using alternatives like "verifying compliance with" or "validating against" instead of "confirming to".

Common error

A common mistake is using "confirming to" when the intended meaning is 'to comply with' or 'to adhere to'. "Confirming" implies verifying something already in place, while "conforming" implies aligning with a standard or rule. Therefore, prefer "conforming to" for adherence to standards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confirming to" functions as a prepositional phrase attempting to indicate adherence or compliance. However, Ludwig AI points out it's often grammatically incorrect. Examples in the search data illustrate its frequent, though disputed, use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "confirming to" is widely used, Ludwig AI highlights that it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct alternative for expressing compliance is /s/conforming+to. The phrase appears frequently in news and scientific contexts, but its use should be carefully considered in formal writing to ensure grammatical accuracy. When aiming to indicate validation or verification, consider alternatives such as "verifying compliance with" or "validating against".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conforming to

This alternative means to comply with or adhere to rules, standards, or laws. It is the grammatically correct form often suggested.

verifying compliance with

This alternative suggests an active check to ensure that rules, standards, or laws are being followed.

validating against

This implies a formal process of ensuring something meets certain criteria or specifications.

attesting to

This phrase indicates providing evidence or proof that something is true or accurate, especially regarding standards or requirements.

bearing out

This means supporting or substantiating a statement or finding, often used in scientific or research contexts.

affirming adherence to

This phrase suggests a strong declaration or confirmation that rules or agreements are being followed.

certifying compliance with

This implies an official endorsement or guarantee that standards or regulations are being met.

demonstrating accordance with

This phrase focuses on showing how something aligns with a set of requirements or guidelines.

substantiating alignment with

This suggests providing concrete evidence that something corresponds or agrees with specified criteria.

testifying to

This phrase indicates providing a formal statement or declaration that something is in line with standards.

FAQs

What is the correct alternative to "confirming to"?

The grammatically correct alternative to "confirming to", when you mean to comply with or adhere to something, is /s/conforming+to.

When should I use "conforming to" instead of "confirming to"?

Use "conforming to" when you want to express that something meets specific standards, rules, or regulations. For example, "The product is /s/conforming+to safety guidelines."

Is "confirming to" ever correct?

While "confirming to" appears in some informal contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "conforming to" or rephrase the sentence for clarity and correctness.

What are some other ways to say something adheres to a standard besides "conforming to"?

Alternatives include "complying with", "meeting the requirements of", or "/s/validating+against depending on the context.