we conferred on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we conferred on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or issue that a group of people has discussed or deliberated about. Example: "After several meetings, we conferred on the best approach to tackle the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I like to think that putting a man on the moon was a kind of blessing we conferred on ourselves.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We confer on every tweet.

The New York Times

It also means that friends of mine who happen to love a person of the same sex can't visit their critically ill partner in certain hospitals, nor benefit from the largesse we confer on people who happen to love someone of the opposite sex.

The Economist

Is there anything special about being a member of the biological species homo sapiens that enhancements could threaten, or are those who criticize enhancement as "dehumanizing" really thinking about the loss of other markers of the moral status we confer on persons?

SEP

Yet though we confer on French women the secret to being sexy and mysterious, it was Seberg, an American girl who had the je ne sais quoi that made men willing to die for her--and the sang froid not to lose it when they did--who inhabited their very essence.

Huffington Post

Many, including biologist Jonathan Eisen, who was one of our original top 50 and who has argued that tweeting helps his career, took to Twitter to question why we conferred stardom based on a simple ranking of follower number, with some calling that a meaningless popularity contest.

Science Magazine

In order to understand the extent and kinds of unintended effects that could be induced in transgenic plants engineered for complex traits, we conferred drought tolerance on Arabidopsis thaliana by overexpressing the transcription factor ABF3.

BMC Genomics

Can we posthumously confer on Chris Sievey the title of national treasure?

The Guardian - Film

"It is outrageous and indefensible that Sally Roycroft is deprived of a freedom that we legally confer on every French person.

The Guardian

In gratitude for your lifetime of creation, we proudly confer on you this Doctor of Letters degree.

Yale University

After all, celebrity isn't something inherent to Johnny Depp it's a status that we, his fawning public, have conferred on him.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we conferred on" when you want to emphasize a formal or deliberate process of bestowing something, such as a title, right, or responsibility, after discussion or consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "conferred" when you actually mean "confirmed". "Conferred" implies a deliberate act of granting or bestowing, whereas "confirmed" means to verify or validate something that already exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we conferred on" typically functions as a verb phrase that describes an action of granting, bestowing, or bestowing something upon someone or something, often after a period of deliberation or discussion. As exemplified by Ludwig, it signifies a formal bestowal or agreement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we conferred on" is a formal expression indicating that a group has granted or bestowed something after careful consideration. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Its usage implies a deliberate and authoritative action, best suited for formal writing. When using "we conferred on", ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of formally granting something and that you're not simply confirming something already in place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we bestowed on

A simpler form of "we bestowed upon", retaining the sense of formal giving.

we bestowed upon

Emphasizes the act of formally giving or presenting something.

we bestowed upon them

Focuses on giving or bestowing something specifically on a group of people.

we granted to

Focuses on giving permission or a right to someone or something.

we awarded to

Specifically refers to giving a prize, honor, or recognition.

we imparted to

Highlights the act of sharing knowledge, wisdom, or a quality.

we consulted on

Emphasizes seeking professional guidance or opinions about the subject matter.

we consulted about

Emphasizes seeking advice and insight to make an informed decision.

we discussed at length

Emphasizes detailed talk on the specific subject matter.

we deliberated over

Emphasizes the meticulous discussion and evaluation of the matter.

FAQs

How can I use "we conferred on" in a sentence?

Use "we conferred on" to describe a situation where a group has granted something, such as a title or honor, after a period of discussion or deliberation. For example, "After careful consideration, we conferred the award "to the deserving candidate"."

What is a synonym for "we conferred on"?

Alternatives to "we conferred on" include "we bestowed upon", "we granted to", or "we awarded to", each carrying a slightly different nuance of formal giving or bestowing.

Is it appropriate to use "we conferred on" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we conferred on" is best suited for formal or semi-formal contexts due to its sophisticated tone. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "we gave" or "we discussed" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "we conferred on" and "we consulted on"?

"We conferred on" implies a decision to grant something after deliberation, while "we consulted on" suggests seeking advice or opinions before making a decision. The former focuses on the act of bestowing, the latter on the process of seeking counsel. For example: "We consulted on the project design before we conferred on him the leadership role."