Confirm You, Confirm To You, and Confirm with You – Explaining the Differences

Ever stumbled on which is right – “confirm you,” “confirm to you,” or “confirm with you”? It might seem like a tiny detail, but picking the right phrase helps in getting your message across correctly.

Today, we’re going on a word adventure to figure out the difference between these phrases and when to use each one. Through simple examples, we’ll learn how to use them right and sound like a pro!

Confirm You

While “confirm you” is less commonly used and may often be a misstep, it might find its place in certain contexts where something about “you” is being confirmed. However, it’s advisable to tread lightly with this phrase as it’s not the standard usage of the verb “confirm”.

Example:

• Incorrect: “I can confirm you tomorrow for the meeting.” (This usage is awkward and incorrect.)
• A more accurate phrase might be “I can confirm your attendance tomorrow.”

Confirm to You

The phrase “confirm to you” fits snugly in everyday communication, especially when you are relaying or confirming information to another person. Here, the preposition “to” signifies a one-way communication from the speaker to the listener.

Examples:

• “I can confirm to you that the event will take place next Sunday.”
• “Upon reviewing the documents, I can confirm to you that they are in order.”
• “I’ll confirm to you once the payment has been processed.”

Confirm with You

On the other hand, “confirm with you” promotes a two-way interaction, often seeking confirmation from another person or confirming something jointly. This phrase is your go-to when engaging in a dialogue requiring affirmation from both parties.

Examples:

• “I just wanted to confirm with you that we’re still on for dinner tonight.”
• “Can I confirm with you your availability for the project meeting?”
• “Before finalizing the schedule, I’ll confirm with you to ensure there are no clashes.”
• “I’ll confirm with you once the reservations are made.”

Understanding these subtle differences enhances our communication, ensuring that our messages are clear, precise, and understood as intended. So, the next time you find yourself reaching for the word “confirm”, pause for a moment to consider the preposition that follows, and make your point with clarity and accuracy!