was conferred upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was conferred upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that an honor or title has been given to someone. For example: "The title of Most Valuable Player was conferred upon Joe for his outstanding performance during the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Elections were dispensed with in 1854, when the presidency was conferred upon him for life.

Britannica

A patent of nobility was conferred upon him in 1887 by the German emperor.

Britannica

Allawi's medical degree, she wrote, "was conferred upon him by the Baath party".

The New Yorker

Evidently, a strong selection advantage was conferred upon B cells by the somatic translocations.

Molecular Immunology

Later, when they were old enough, the burden was conferred upon the school.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The title earl of Warwick was conferred upon him in 1546.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Full police-court powers were conferred upon him in 1903.

Cornell University

Prophetically, he renounced the title of "National Unchangeable Leader," which had been conferred upon him in 1938.

Britannica

When an admissions advantage is conferred upon racial minorities, we call it affirmative action.

The New York Times

Nobility had been conferred upon the family as early as 1574 by Emperor Maximilian II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prizes may be given only to individuals, except the Peace Prize, which may also be conferred upon an institution.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While grammatically correct, "was conferred upon" can sound overly formal in casual settings. Choose simpler alternatives if a less formal tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "was conferred upon" in informal communication or when describing everyday occurrences. Simpler verbs like "given" or "awarded" may be more appropriate for a natural and accessible style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was conferred upon" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something received an honor, title, right, or benefit. It's a formal way of expressing that something was officially given or granted. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts like receiving degrees, titles, or authority.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

Encyclopedias

24%

News & Media

16%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was conferred upon" serves as a formal and often ceremonial way to express that something (like a title, honor, or right) has been officially given. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides various examples across academic, encyclopedic, and news contexts. While "was conferred upon" is appropriate for formal writing, it may sound stilted in casual conversation, where simpler alternatives are preferable. Remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight the significance of the act of bestowing something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was bestowed on

Changes the verb to 'bestowed', implying a formal giving.

was granted to

Replaces 'conferred' with 'granted', suggesting permission or authorization.

was awarded to

Uses 'awarded', implying a prize or recognition is given.

was invested with

Suggests endowing someone with power or authority.

was given to

A simpler, more direct way of saying something was given.

was accredited to

Implies official recognition or certification.

was entitled to

Indicates a right or qualification to receive something.

was privileged with

Highlights the special opportunity or advantage given.

was bequeathed to

Suggests inheritance or passing down as a legacy.

was transferred to

Indicates a shift or handover of something to someone.

FAQs

How do I use "was conferred upon" in a sentence?

Use "was conferred upon" to indicate that an honor, title, degree, or right has been formally given or bestowed. For example: "The honorary degree "was conferred upon" the distinguished scientist at the graduation ceremony."

What are some alternatives to "was conferred upon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was awarded to", "was granted to", or "was bestowed on". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is it correct to say "was conferred on" instead of "was conferred upon"?

While "was conferred upon" is generally considered more formal, "was conferred on" is also acceptable and frequently used. The choice often depends on the desired level of formality in your writing.

What's the difference between "was conferred upon" and "was bestowed upon"?

The phrases "was conferred upon" and "was bestowed on" are very similar in meaning. "Conferred" often implies a formal or official act of giving something, while "bestowed" can suggest a more gracious or generous act.