to confirm

USAGE SUMMARY

"to confirm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the act of verifying the accuracy or truthfulness of something. For example: "I'm writing to confirm that your order has been shipped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Call to confirm schedule.

The New York Times - Travel

refused to confirm this.

The New Yorker

Polls seem to confirm this.

The Economist

Please nod to confirm.

The New Yorker

Divers need to confirm.

The Guardian

vote to confirm them.

The New York Times

Call to confirm hours.

The New York Times - Travel

Call to confirm dates.

The New York Times

Call ahead to confirm.

The New York Times - Travel

He was going to confirm it?

The Guardian

The hotel refused to confirm his presence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to confirm" when you want to ensure the accuracy of pre-existing information or arrangements. It's suitable for scenarios where verification is necessary, such as confirming appointments or details.

Common error

While "to confirm" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal contexts where stronger verbs like "ascertain" or "validate" might be more appropriate. Vary your vocabulary to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to confirm" functions as an infinitive of purpose. It explains the reason or intention behind an action, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples, such as "Call to confirm schedule" or "Divers need to confirm."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

37%

News & Media

35%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to confirm" is a very common and grammatically correct infinitive of purpose used to express the intention of verifying information. As Ludwig AI states, it's usable in written English to indicate the act of verifying the accuracy or truthfulness of something. Examples from Ludwig show its prevalence across news, media, and general contexts. While it maintains a neutral register, remember to consider stronger alternatives like "ascertain" or "validate" in highly formal situations. Common usage includes verifying schedules, details, and arrangements. Related phrases include "to verify", "to validate", and "to ensure", each offering slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to verify

Uses a different verb with a focus on establishing the truth or accuracy.

to validate

Emphasizes the act of proving something is correct or legitimate.

to affirm

Suggests a more formal or emphatic declaration of truth.

to ascertain

Implies a more thorough investigation to establish certainty.

to double-check

Indicates a casual review for accuracy.

to corroborate

Focuses on providing supporting evidence.

to substantiate

Suggests providing evidence to support a claim.

to ensure

Highlights the act of making something certain.

to certify

Suggests an official or formal confirmation.

to determine

Focuses on finding something out for certain.

FAQs

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

You can use "to confirm" to express the act of verifying something. For example, "Please call "to confirm" your reservation" or "I need "to confirm" the details of the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "to confirm"?

Alternatives to "to confirm" include "to verify", "to validate", and "to ascertain". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "confirm" or "to confirm"?

The choice between "confirm" and "to confirm" depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence. "Confirm" is used as a verb, while "to confirm" is used as an infinitive phrase, often expressing purpose. For instance, "I will confirm the details" versus "I am calling "to confirm" the details."

What's the difference between "to confirm" and "to ensure"?

"To confirm" means to verify the accuracy of something, while "to ensure" means to make certain that something will happen. For example, you confirm a booking, but you ensure that all safety regulations are followed.