What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conferred
Example
The university conferred an honorary degree upon the distinguished professor. [conferred: past tense]
Example
The committee conferred with each other before making a final decision. [conferred: verb]
Example
The king conferred a knighthood upon the brave soldier. [conferred: past participle]
endow
Example
The wealthy philanthropist endowed a scholarship for underprivileged students. [endowed: past tense]
Example
She was endowed with a beautiful singing voice from a young age. [endowed: past participle]
Example
The training program seeks to endow participants with leadership skills. [endow: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Endow is less commonly used than conferred in everyday language. Conferred is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while endow is more specific and often used in formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conferred and endow?
Conferred is typically associated with a formal and official tone, while endow can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.
