he conferred with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he conferred with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has discussed or consulted with another person or group regarding a particular matter. Example: "Before making the final decision, he conferred with his colleagues to gather their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He conferred with his sister.

The Guardian - Books

From time to time, he conferred with Mica.

The New Yorker

He conferred with the train's conductor, Mary Tillman.

The New York Times

He conferred with a colleague, and then nodded yes, gravely.

The New York Times - Travel

My wife called while he conferred with the other cops.

The New Yorker

He conferred with catcher John Buck on the game plan.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But one thing I do know is that he confers with his family and his advisers fairly often".

The New York Times - Sports

Radcliffe says he confers with his parents about his career options, but he ultimately makes his own decisions and sets the pace.

The New York Times - Magazine

Every weekday at 9am he confers with his teams in New York, Atlanta, Washington, DC, and other bureaus to discuss ratings and web traffic, and to decide what news to cover.

The Economist

Other futuristic allowances mean he confers with Horatio on a video screen and, in lieu of description, conjures up a hologram of his dead father while pleading with Gertrude.

The Guardian - Books

The assessment is under way, aides said, but a full list of policies to be overturned will not be announced by Mr. Obama until he confers with new members of his cabinet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he conferred with" to indicate a formal discussion or consultation, especially when the context involves seeking advice or making an important decision.

Common error

Avoid using "he conferred with" in very casual settings. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he talked to" or "he discussed it with" in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he conferred with" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a male subject engaged in a formal discussion or consultation with someone. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for indicating discussion or consultation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he conferred with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig. It indicates a formal discussion or consultation, often implying that advice or opinions were sought before making a decision. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, as indicated by its prevalence in news media and encyclopedic sources. For more casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "he talked to" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he consulted with

Replaces "conferred" with a more common synonym, implying seeking advice or information.

he discussed with

A more general term for talking about something with someone.

he spoke with

Similar to "discussed", but can imply a less formal conversation.

he communicated with

A broader term that can include written communication as well as spoken.

he sought advice from

Focuses on the act of seeking guidance.

he had a meeting with

Emphasizes the formal setting of a discussion.

he took counsel with

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying he sought advice.

he deliberated with

Implies a careful and thorough discussion.

he exchanged views with

Highlights the sharing of opinions and perspectives.

he touched base with

An informal phrase meaning to briefly connect or communicate.

FAQs

What does "he conferred with" mean?

The phrase "he conferred with" means that he had a discussion or consultation with someone, typically to seek advice or exchange opinions before making a decision.

What can I say instead of "he conferred with"?

You can use alternatives like "he consulted with", "he discussed with", or "he spoke with" depending on the context.

Is "he conferred with" formal or informal?

"He conferred with" leans toward the formal side. In informal situations, phrases like "he talked to" or "he discussed it with" might be more appropriate.

How to use "he conferred with" in a sentence?

Example: "Before making the final decision, "he conferred with" his colleagues to gather their opinions."