What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
confer
Example
The committee will confer with the experts before making a decision. [confer: verb]
Example
The university will confer degrees upon the graduating students. [confer: verb]
Example
The new policy will confer benefits on the employees. [confer: verb]
consult
Example
I need to consult with my lawyer before signing the contract. [consult: verb]
Example
I consulted the dictionary to find the meaning of the word. [consulted: past tense]
Example
Let's consult with the team before finalizing the project plan. [consult: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Consult is more commonly used than confer in everyday language. Consult is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while confer is less common and typically used in official or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between confer and consult?
Confer is more formal than consult and is often used in official or academic contexts. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
