conspire over

USAGE SUMMARY

"conspire over" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to discussing or planning something secretive or illicit with others. Example: They conspired over their plans to launch a surprise party. Alternative expressions include "plot together" and "scheme about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She and Boyd conspire over Kate's head.

The New Yorker

We'd conspire over a six-pack in my tiny one-bedroom flat, jovially certain that we'd still be best friends when we were "cancerous old bags".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A well-spoken Yemeni American, Awlaki has emerged as the leading ideologue for a homegrown generation of young militants who conspire over the Internet.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As storm clouds conspired over Manhattan one night recently, the members of the Society of Professional Investigators, or SPI (pronounced "spy"), gathered for their monthly dinner in the wood-panelled back room of Forlini's, just south of Canal Street.

The New Yorker

If parrots and AI were to conspire to take over the world, she says, she would like parrots to be the planet's ultimate rulers.

The Guardian - Music

Surely male athletes have conspired over the years to provide "gifts" like home-run pitches.

The New York Times

As the US Federal Trade Commission found, the big record companies conspired over years to keep CD prices artificially high.

The Guardian - Books

The US authorities accuse Chodan of conspiring over a decade to bribe Nigerian government officials to obtain $6bn contracts to build gas plants.

The Guardian

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired over several years to routinely dump thousands of gallons of polluted wastewater generated daily by the foundry.

The New York Times

It accused Ms. Kohn of conspiring over a 23-year period to steer about $9 billion into Mr. Madoff's fraud through a complex network of hedge funds and management companies, in exchange for at least $62 million in secret kickbacks.

The New York Times

But the book's scope also extends beyond the events of June 25 , 2009 the date of Jackson's death, to explore the many factors that conspired over the years to end the King of Pop's life so prematurely.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conspire over" when you want to emphasize not just the act of conspiring, but also the specific topic or area that the conspiracy revolves around. For instance, "They conspired over the company's future direction."

Common error

Avoid using "conspire over" when the focus isn't on a specific topic or area of discussion. In general use, stick to the more common "conspire to do something" when describing just the action of conspiring. Remember that "over" in this instance refers to something you are discussing while conspiring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conspire over" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a secretive or illicit planning session focused on a specific subject. It highlights both the act of conspiring and the topic being conspired about. Ludwig AI indicates it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conspire over" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe secret planning focused on a specific topic. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Although its frequency is uncommon, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to emphasize the specific topic or area that the conspiracy revolves around. Related phrases include "plot together" and "scheme about", though these may carry different connotations. Remember that focusing on the discussed element is what differentiates "conspire over" from alternative phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conspire to

A more direct and common phrase, focusing on the agreement to do something, often with negative connotations.

plot together

Focuses on the act of planning something, often in secret, with a strong implication of scheming or ill intent.

scheme about

Suggests a devious plan, often involving trickery or deception, and might imply less serious intent.

collude regarding

Implies a secret agreement, typically for fraudulent or illegal purposes, adding a more formal and serious tone.

intrigue concerning

Highlights the element of mystery and secretiveness, often used in political or dramatic contexts.

connive about

Suggests a more underhanded and manipulative approach to planning something, often to gain an unfair advantage.

cabal over

Emphasizes a small group of people secretly plotting, usually with political undertones, and suggests a more exclusive and potentially powerful alliance.

machinate about

Indicates complex and often ruthless planning, often to achieve a specific goal, and conveys a sense of calculated manipulation.

collaborate secretly

Highlights the joint effort and the aspect of secrecy, suitable for situations where discretion is key.

formulate a clandestine plan

Describes a hidden and elaborate plan, emphasizing the secrecy and the complexity of the scheme.

FAQs

How does "conspire over" differ from "conspire to"?

"Conspire to" generally indicates the action someone plans to take, while "conspire over" emphasizes the subject or matter about which people are secretly planning. For example, "They "conspired to commit fraud"" versus "They conspired over the details of the contract".

What are some situations where I can use "conspire over"?

Use "conspire over" when you wish to highlight the topic of discussion during secret planning. For instance, "The board members conspired over the CEO's potential replacement" or "The rebels conspired over the best strategy to overthrow the government".

Is "conspire over" appropriate for formal writing?

While "conspire over" is grammatically correct, its association with secret or illicit activities might make it less suitable for certain formal contexts. Depending on the situation, a more neutral phrase like "collaborate on" or "plan regarding" might be more appropriate.

What are some alternative phrases to "conspire over" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternative phrases such as "plot together", "scheme about", or "collude regarding" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of formality and implication.