have been conferred

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been conferred" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in formal or academic writing to indicate that something has been given or bestowed upon someone. Example: The title of "Doctor" has been conferred upon him after completing his doctoral studies.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Whitbread awards, established in 1971, have been conferred in their current format since 1985.

The New York Times - Arts

This, we said, ensured that "no imprimatur of state approval' can be deemed to have been conferred on any particular religion, or on religion generally".

The New York Times

A similar immunity seems to have been conferred on Prince Andrew, following allegations of his sexual impropriety with a minor who worked for his American friend, a convicted paedophile.

The Guardian - Opinion

I do have experience of the pop world and the academic world but not to the extent of knowing a great deal of what it feels like to be honoured within their respective rituals (though I have been conferred as a visiting professor a couple of times and I have appeared on Top of the Pops [performing TV by The Flying Lizards in 1979]).

The Guardian - Music

The shaman or magician officiates in his own name and by his own methods and techniques; the priest serves the altar, in the temple or shrine, as the representative of the community in his relations with the gods and the sacred order by virtue of the status and its functions that have been conferred upon him at his ordination, bestowing its sacredness and attendant taboos.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My experience suggests [16, 27] that many domestication traits have been conferred by exploiting natural variation such as QTLs.

Rice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The exhausted party leaders have been conferring with advisers and, discreetly, with one another.

The Guardian

Officials of the health agency have been conferring with governments, trade and consumer groups and food industry executives for recommendations on how to control the sale of fatty, sugary, salty and high-calorie foods.

The New York Times

As for the waterfront, officials of NY Waterway company, which ferries 32,000 commuters a day, have been conferring with prospective business tenants over the last six months to assess where the workers will be coming from.

The New York Times

There could also have been conferring between participants when completing their questionnaires.

BMC Public Health

The Order of Merit had been conferred a few weeks before his death.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been conferred" when you want to emphasize the formal or official nature of giving something, such as a degree, title, or right.

Common error

Avoid using "have been conferred" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "given" or "awarded" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been conferred" functions as a passive construction indicating that something (e.g. a title, right, or honor) has been formally given or granted to someone. This construction emphasizes the act of bestowing rather than the giver. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been conferred" is a grammatically sound and relatively common construction used to denote the formal granting or bestowal of something. As Ludwig AI notes, it's suitable for formal and scientific registers, appearing most frequently in scientific and news contexts. While "have been conferred" is appropriate in formal settings, it is recommended to use simpler alternatives in casual conversations to maintain a natural tone. Remember to use "on" to indicate the recipient. The examples and analysis provided by Ludwig offer a comprehensive understanding of its usage and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been granted

Indicates a formal bestowal or allowance of something, similar to "have been conferred".

have been awarded

Specifically implies the receipt of a prize, honor, or recognition.

have been bestowed

Suggests a generous or formal act of giving something.

have been given

A more general term for receiving something, lacking the formality of "conferred".

have been invested with

Implies that someone has been formally given power, authority or a specific quality.

have been honored with

Highlights the act of receiving an honor or recognition.

have been presented with

Suggests a formal presentation or offering of something.

have been bequeathed

Refers to something that has been passed down as an inheritance or legacy.

have been transmitted

Indicates that something has been passed on or transferred, especially knowledge or a disease.

have been assigned

Implies that something has been allocated or designated for a specific purpose or person.

FAQs

How can I use "have been conferred" in a sentence?

You can use "have been conferred" to indicate a formal granting of something. For example, "The honorary degree "has been conferred" upon the distinguished guest." Another example, "Citizenship "has been conferred" to immigrants who have lived in the country for a certain amount of time."

What are some alternatives to "have been conferred"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have been granted", "have been awarded", or "have been bestowed". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the title was conferred to him" or "the title was conferred on him"?

The correct usage is "the title was conferred on him". The preposition "on" is typically used with "conferred" to indicate the recipient of the title or honor.

What is the difference between "conferred" and "bestowed"?

While both words imply giving something, "conferred" often suggests a formal or official act, such as awarding a degree or title. "Bestowed", on the other hand, often implies a more generous or gracious act of giving. You "have been conferred" a degree and "have been bestowed" a gift.