they conferred about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they conferred about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where individuals are having a discussion or consultation regarding a specific topic or issue. Example: "After several hours of deliberation, they conferred about the best course of action to take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meyocks and Noe say they confer about three times a day.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, whenever they confer about various questions that arise in connection with the administration of the trust agreement, they inevitably are engaged in that activity as defined in the statute.

Cornell University

In fact, the records show, the spokesman had alerted those officials to the reporter's inquiry, and they conferred at length about sending the man back to Africa to avoid embarrassing publicity.

The New York Times

"What does happen is we have conversations," Rather says -- usually to confer about joint appearances at charitable or civic events.

The New York Times - Magazine

I told them Shama Gupei's story, and for about 10 minutes, they conferred in Yi.

Los Angeles Times

(Have you noticed that neuro- has become the new nano-?) In online discussion groups, grad students confer about which philosophy programs are "experimentally friendly" the way, in the 1970s, they might have conferred about which programs were welcoming toward homosexuals, or Heideggerians.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are conferring about the play's final scene, making suggestions and talking over one another in a friendly free-for-all, standing around the play's 3-and-a-half-foot-high co-stars, for the moment inanimate.

The New York Times

After the Justice Department's inspector general released his findings Thursday, Giuliani said he and fellow Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow conferred about legal options they could take to stymie Mueller — including possibly sending a letter to the Justice Department raising questions about the credibility of the special counsel investigation.

The Washington Post

During planning, Vollick and Khan discuss tactics and the day's operations, and when they leave the base they walk together, conferring about which houses they need to inspect more closely, and which villagers are lying.

The New Yorker

Even as the former president held forth at his home, prosecutors conferred about the grounds on which they would appeal the ruling to Zambia's High Court.

The New York Times

A3 Europe May Delay Iran Referral The leading countries of Europe conferred about Iran, with growing indications that they would not move later this week to refer Iran's recent actions in its nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they conferred about" when you want to emphasize a formal or deliberate discussion among multiple people. It is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they conferred about" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "they talked about" or "they discussed" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they conferred about" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a formal discussion or consultation among multiple individuals. Ludwig shows that it commonly introduces the topic of discussion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they conferred about" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a formal discussion or consultation among individuals. Ludwig indicates it is more common in news, academic, and scientific contexts, signifying a level of deliberation. Though not frequently used, it effectively communicates a thoughtful exchange. Alternatives such as "they discussed" or "they consulted on" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. While perfectly correct, it should be used carefully in informal contexts, as Ludwig AI points out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they discussed

This alternative is simpler and more direct, focusing on the general act of discussion.

they consulted on

This alternative suggests seeking expert advice or opinions during the discussion.

they deliberated over

This alternative implies a more formal and careful consideration of the topic.

they considered

This is a very generic phrase that only expresses consideration.

they talked about

This alternative is a very common and informal way of saying "they conferred about".

they had a conversation regarding

This alternative is more formal and explicitly mentions the conversation's subject.

they exchanged views on

This alternative emphasizes the sharing of opinions and perspectives.

they held a meeting to discuss

This alternative highlights the formal setting and purpose of the discussion.

they compared notes on

This alternative suggests a collaborative exchange of information and insights.

they brainstormed about

This alternative refers to a creative discussion process.

FAQs

What does "they conferred about" mean?

The phrase "they conferred about" means that a group of people discussed or consulted each other regarding a specific topic or issue.

How can I use "they conferred about" in a sentence?

You can use "they conferred about" to describe a situation where people are formally discussing something. For example, "The committee "they conferred about" the new policy before making a decision."

What are some alternatives to "they conferred about"?

Alternatives include "they discussed", "they consulted on", or "they talked about" depending on the context.

Is "they conferred about" formal or informal?

"They conferred about" is considered more formal. In informal contexts, using phrases like "they talked about" or "they discussed" would be more appropriate.