to affirm

USAGE SUMMARY

"to affirm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the action of confirming something, or to show agreement with a statement. For example: "The court affirmed that the defendant was guilty of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Supreme Court needs to affirm that.

The New York Times

"I remind everyone, especially the leaders: discipline to affirm our power, tolerance to affirm democracy, reconciliation to affirm unity".

The New York Times

Asked to affirm Israel's existence, he wouldn't.

The Washington Post

What is it you're looking to affirm?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Starr needs to affirm that publicly.

The New York Times

I therefore dissent and vote to affirm.

Harvard University

On this basis I vote to affirm.

Cornell University

The motion to affirm must therefore prevail.

Cornell University

Mr. Bloomberg continues to affirm his unbending faith.

The New York Times

I don't need Bridget Jones to affirm my beliefs.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Massachusetts the Puritans came to affirm their faith.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to affirm", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean to confirm something's truth, express agreement, or validate a statement. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "to affirm" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations where simpler terms like "to agree" or "to confirm" might sound more natural. Consider your audience and the tone you wish to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to affirm" functions as an infinitive, often acting as a verb's complement or modifier. It frequently serves to express confirmation, agreement, or validation within a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly precedes a statement or idea that is being supported.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to affirm" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that signifies confirmation, agreement, or validation. Ludwig AI affirms its broad applicability, noting its prevalence across diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure its usage aligns with the intended tone. Alternatives like "to confirm" or "to validate" may be more appropriate in certain situations. By understanding its function, purpose, and typical contexts, writers can effectively leverage "to affirm" to enhance clarity and credibility in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to confirm

Replaces "affirm" with a more general term for validating something.

to corroborate

Emphasizes providing additional evidence to support the truth of something.

to validate

Focuses on establishing the soundness or correctness of something.

to verify

Highlights the process of checking or proving the truth of something.

to assert

Indicates a strong and confident statement of fact or belief.

to uphold

Suggests maintaining or defending a principle or decision.

to ratify

Implies formal consent or approval.

to endorse

Conveys public support or approval.

to attest

Means to provide or serve as clear evidence of something.

to declare

Suggests a formal or official statement.

FAQs

How can I use "to affirm" in a sentence?

You can use "to affirm" to express agreement, validate a statement, or confirm the truth of something. For instance, "The data seems "to affirm" the initial hypothesis.".

What are some alternatives to "to affirm"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to confirm", "to validate", or "to corroborate". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to use "to affirm" or "to confirm"?

The choice between "to affirm" and "to confirm" depends on the specific context. "To affirm" often implies a stronger sense of agreement or validation, while "to confirm" is generally used to verify the truth or accuracy of something. However, "to confirm" may sound more natural in some situations.

What does "to affirm" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "to affirm" can refer to upholding a lower court's decision or to making a solemn declaration under oath in place of swearing. For instance, an appellate court may vote "to affirm" a judgment.