confer
C1Formal / Academic
Definition
Meaning
To have a discussion or exchange views to reach a decision.
To grant or bestow a title, degree, right, or benefit upon someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has two distinct but related senses: 1) to consult/discuss, 2) to bestow. The 'bestow' sense typically involves an authority figure or institution granting something of value or honor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British formal/academic contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of formality, authority, and deliberation.
Frequency
Medium-low frequency in both, with a slight edge in UK academic prose.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] confer [sth] on/upon [sb][Sb] confer with [sb] (about/on [sth])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “confer a boon”
- “powers conferred by statute”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in formal meetings: 'The board will confer before announcing the merger.'
Academic
Common regarding degrees and discussion: 'The university will confer the honorary doctorate.'
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. Might be used humorously: 'I need to confer with my partner about the holiday plans.'
Technical
In law: 'The act confers certain rights on the tenant.' In science: 'The mutation confers resistance.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee will confer next week to finalise the regulations.
- The Queen conferred a knighthood upon him for services to music.
American English
- The judges will confer before announcing the verdict.
- The treaty confers specific trade advantages on member nations.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teachers conferred about the school trip.
- The medal was conferred on the brave soldier.
- Managers need to confer with the legal team before proceeding.
- Citizenship confers the right to vote.
- The genetic variant appears to confer a significant survival advantage in that environment.
- The panel conferred at length, weighing the ethical implications of the case.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONference where people CONsult and then conFER a prize on the winner.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A SOURCE (authority confers/gives out benefits). KNOWLEDGE IS A COMMODITY (to confer is to exchange it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not equivalent to 'конференция' (a conference/meeting).
- Can be confused with 'compare' due to similar sound, but 'confer' is 'совещаться' or 'даровать'.
- The 'bestow' sense has no direct single Russian equivalent; requires 'присваивать', 'давать', 'жаловать' depending on context.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'confer to someone' (correct: 'confer on/upon someone').
- Using it in too informal a context.
- Confusing it with 'defer' (postpone).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'confer' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is primarily used in formal, academic, legal, and official contexts. It sounds stilted in everyday conversation.
'Confer' implies a mutual discussion between parties. 'Consult' often implies seeking advice or information from someone with expertise.
Yes, in its 'discuss' sense: 'They conferred for an hour.' In its 'bestow' sense, it requires a direct and an indirect object (or context): 'It confers an advantage.'
'Conference' (a formal meeting) is related to the 'discuss' sense. 'Conferment' or 'conferral' is the act of bestowing an honour or degree.