Confer vs. Concur — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 16, 2024
Confer involves discussion or consultation, typically to exchange opinions and make decisions; concur refers to agreement or assent, often indicating approval of a decision or opinion.
Difference Between Confer and Concur
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Confer is a verb that denotes the act of consulting or discussing something with others, especially to reach a decision or to exchange information. Whereas, concur means to agree or have the same opinion, typically used when someone aligns with the thoughts, suggestions, or decisions of others.
When people confer, they engage in a conversation or meeting specifically aimed at deliberation or problem-solving. On the other hand, to concur is to express alignment with an already stated opinion or decision, often without the need for extended discussion.
Confer often involves multiple parties and is a process that might include debates, suggestions, and negotiations. Conversely, concur generally involves accepting or endorsing a position or proposal presented by another party or reached through deliberation.
The outcome of a conference might lead to new insights or decisions that reflect the inputs of all participants. In contrast, concurring does not typically result in new ideas but rather shows support for an existing thought.
In professional settings, confer can be crucial for collaborative decision-making and brainstorming, ensuring that various viewpoints are considered. Whereas, concur is vital for demonstrating consensus or unity, particularly in formal agreements or endorsements.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To consult together; discuss to make a decision
To agree or have the same opinion
Usage Context
Meetings, discussions
Agreements, approvals
Interaction
Usually involves active dialogue among participants
Often a passive agreement to another’s point
Outcome
Can lead to new decisions or solutions
Generally leads to endorsement of existing ideas
Purpose
To gather diverse opinions and reach a consensus
To show unity or agreement on a specific issue
Compare with Definitions
Confer
To grant or bestow (something).
The university conferred an honorary degree on her.
Concur
To agree with someone or something.
I concur with your assessment.
Confer
To have discussions; exchange opinions.
The committee conferred to reach a consensus.
Concur
To coexist harmoniously.
The two plans concur in many respects.
Confer
To compare views or take counsel.
We need to confer before making a decision.
Concur
To act together to a common end.
We must concur to solve this issue.
Confer
To meet formally.
The leaders will confer tomorrow.
Concur
To accord in opinion.
The board members all concurred.
Confer
To deliberate together.
Let's confer on the proposal before the meeting.
Concur
To endorse an opinion or decision.
She concurred with the final verdict.
Confer
To bestow (an honor, for example)
Conferred a medal on the hero.
Concur
To be of the same opinion; agree
Concurred on the issue of preventing crime.
Confer
To invest with (a characteristic, for example)
A carefully worded statement that conferred an aura of credibility.
Concur
To combine in bringing something about; act together
Factors that concurred to prevent a meeting of the leaders.
Confer
To meet in order to deliberate together or compare views; consult
Conferred with her attorney.
Concur
To occur at the same time; coincide
Icy sleet that concurred with a forceful wind.
Confer
(transitive) To grant as a possession; to bestow.
The college has conferred an honorary degree upon the visiting Prime Minister.
Concur
(Obsolete) To converge; meet.
Confer
(intransitive) To talk together, to consult, discuss; to deliberate.
They were in a huddle, conferring about something.
Concur
To grant or concede
"French surgeons ... could only concur that it was a mortal wound" (Susan Dunn).
Confer
(obsolete) To compare.
Concur
To agree (in action or opinion); to have a common opinion; to coincide; to correspond.
Confer
To bring together; to collect, gather.
Concur
To meet in the same point; to combine or conjoin; to contribute or help towards a common object or effect.
Concurring plans
Concurring lines of thought
Confer
(obsolete) To contribute; to conduce.
Concur
(obsolete) To run together; to meet.
Confer
To bring together for comparison; to compare.
If we confer these observations with others of the like nature, we may find cause to rectify the general opinion.
Concur
(rare) To converge.
Confer
To grant as a possession; to bestow.
The public marks of honor and rewardConferred upon me.
Concur
To run together; to meet.
Anon they fierce encountering both concurredWith grisly looks and faces like their fates.
Confer
To contribute; to conduce.
The closeness and compactness of the parts resting together doth much confer to the strength of the union.
Concur
To meet in the same point; to combine or conjoin; to contribute or help toward a common object or effect.
When outward causes concur.
Confer
To have discourse; to consult; to compare views; to deliberate.
Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered.
You shall hear us confer of this.
Concur
To unite or agree (in action or opinion); to join; to act jointly; to agree; to coincide; to correspond.
Mr. Burke concurred with Lord Chatham in opinion.
Tories and Whigs had concurred in paying honor to Walker.
This concurs directly with the letter.
Confer
Have a conference in order to talk something over;
We conferred about a plan of action
Concur
To assent; to consent.
Confer
Present;
The university conferred a degree on its most famous former student, who never graduated
Bestow an honor on someone
Concur
Be in accord; be in agreement;
We agreed on the terms of the settlement
I can't agree with you!
I hold with those who say life is sacred
Both philosophers concord on this point
Confer
Compare (used in texts to point the reader to another location in the text)
Concur
Happen simultaneously;
The two events coincided
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to confer with someone?
To discuss something with someone, typically to seek their advice or to reach a joint decision.
Can confer be used outside of formal meetings?
Yes, confer can be used anytime individuals consult or discuss informally or formally.
Is concur used only in professional contexts?
No, concur can be used in any context where agreement or accord is expressed.
Is there a limit to the number of people who can confer?
No, there is no set limit; however, effective conferencing typically involves a manageable number of participants to ensure everyone's viewpoints are adequately considered.
Is it possible to both confer and concur in a single meeting?
Yes, a meeting can involve conferring to discuss various viewpoints and conclude with concurring on a decision or opinion.
What is typically the result of conferring?
The result of conferring is often a decision, plan, or agreement reached after discussing different perspectives and information.
Does concurring imply total agreement?
Yes, to concur usually means complete agreement with another’s opinion or decision.
How does confer differ from a general discussion?
Confer specifically implies a purpose-driven discussion aimed at decision-making, not just casual talk.
Do people always concur after conferring?
Not necessarily; people may still have differing opinions after conferring and may not always reach a consensus or agreement.
Can concurring be considered a passive activity?
Concurring can be seen as more passive compared to conferencing, as it involves agreeing with or accepting the opinions or decisions of others rather than actively contributing to the creation of those opinions.
Can someone concur without having conferred?
Yes, one can concur with an opinion or decision without having been part of the initial discussion or conferencing process.
What are the signs that a person is ready to concur?
Signs include verbal affirmations, nodding in agreement, or explicitly stating their agreement with the points discussed.
Can technology facilitate the process of conferring?
Yes, technology such as video conferencing tools and collaborative platforms can facilitate conferring by allowing remote discussions and real-time sharing of information.
What is the importance of concurring in a legal context?
In legal contexts, concurring is important as it often signifies a unified decision or opinion, which can be critical in verdicts, rulings, and forming precedents.
How do cultural differences impact the process of conferring and concurring?
Cultural differences can significantly impact how individuals confer and concur, influencing the level of directness, the manner of expressing agreement or disagreement, and the value placed on consensus.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
