Confused about whether to use “confered” or “conferred”? Well, I’ve got you covered! Let’s dive into the world of verbs and explore the correct form of this particular word.
The correct form is actually “conferred.” The word “confer” is a verb, and in its past tense, it takes the form “conferred.” This may seem a bit tricky, but fear not! I’m here to break it down for you.
When we use the word “confer,” we usually mean to grant, bestow, or give an honor, title, degree, or authority to someone. It indicates the act of conferring something onto someone else. Let’s see some examples to better understand this:
1. The university conferred an honorary degree upon the renowned scientist for her groundbreaking research.
2. The president conferred the Medal of Honor to the brave soldier who had saved countless lives during the war.
3. The committee conferred a prestigious award on the talented writer in recognition of her outstanding contributions to literature.
In each of these examples, “conferred” is correctly used to show the action of granting or bestowing something upon someone else. It has a sense of authority and significance attached to it, indicating that the honor or recognition is being given with utmost respect and consideration.
Now, you might wonder why “confered” doesn’t exist as a valid word. Well, the form “confered” is actually incorrect due to the rules of English grammar. You see, when we want to show the past tense of a regular verb, we usually add “-ed” at the end. For example, “talk” becomes “talked,” “play” becomes “played,” and so on. However, “confer” is an irregular verb, meaning it doesn’t follow the usual pattern.
To form the past tense of irregular verbs like “confer,” we have to modify the word within the verb itself. In this case, we change the final “-er” to “-rred,” resulting in “conferred.” It may appear a bit odd at first, but this is a typical feature of irregular verbs.
Now that we’ve cleared up the confusion between “confered” and “conferred,” you can confidently use the correct form in your writing and conversations. Remember, “conferred” is the past tense form of “confer” when you want to express the act of granting or bestowing an honor, title, degree, or authority.
So, whether you’re discussing academic achievements, awards, or honors, make sure to use “conferred” to convey your message accurately and fluently. Happy writing and speaking!