confer
confer — 動詞
1. When two or more people confer, they talk together in a serious and focused way,
商議；協商
互相討論以做出決定
When two or more people confer, they talk together in a serious and focused way, sharing ideas and opinions so that they can reach a decision or decide what to do next.
The two lawyers conferred quietly before presenting their case to the judge.
兩位律師在向法官陳述案情之前，先私下進行了商議。
confer with [somebody] before [event]
Sahil conferred with his team about the best way to launch the new product.
Sahil 與他的團隊商議推出新產品的最佳方式。
The doctors conferred for nearly an hour before they agreed on a treatment plan.
醫生們協商了將近一個小時，才同意了一套治療方案。
Nala's parents conferred in the kitchen while she waited in her room.
Nala 的父母在廚房裡商議事情，而她則在房間裡等候。
Before making a final offer, the manager conferred with the finance department.
在提出最終報價之前，經理與財務部門進行了協商。
- consult
Like 'confer' but suggests one person seeking expert advice from another, rather than equal exchange.
- discuss
The most general term; less formal and does not necessarily imply reaching a decision.
- deliberate
More formal than 'confer'; emphasises slow, careful consideration, often in legal or political settings.
文法句型
confer with [somebody] about [something]
confer with [somebody] on [something]
confer [for time] before [decision]
用法筆記
Frequently found in professional, legal, and academic contexts. More formal than 'talk with' or 'discuss', and often implies a focused, decision-oriented exchange rather than casual conversation.
常見錯誤
2. When an official body such as a university or government confers a degree, award
授予；頒授
正式給予頭銜或榮譽
When an official body such as a university or government confers a degree, award, or title on someone, it formally and publicly gives that person the honour, often during a ceremony.
The university conferred an honorary degree on the Nobel Prize winner.
該大學授予這位諾貝爾獎得主榮譽博士學位。
confer [degree] on [somebody]
A knighthood was conferred upon Karim for his years of work in education.
Karim 因其多年在教育領域的貢獻，獲頒授爵士頭銜。
The committee conferred the award of excellence on three young scientists.
委員會將卓越獎頒授給三位年輕科學家。
Yumi was nervous as the president conferred a national medal on her father.
當總統將國家勳章頒授予 Yumi 的父親時，Yumi 感到很緊張。
This position confers the right to vote on all important committee decisions.
這個職位賦予持有人對委員會所有重要決策的投票權。
文法句型
confer [honour/degree/title] on/upon [somebody]
[honour/degree/title] be conferred on/upon [somebody]
用法筆記
Common in passive constructions ('be conferred on/upon'). The subject is typically an institution (a university, government body, committee) rather than an individual acting alone.