affirm
gb/əfˈɚm/ us/əfˈɚm/
B2
Inglés
~ 7800
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
formal
B2
action
1
state firmly that something is true
To say in a clear and strong way that something is true.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] affirms that [clause]
Error frecuente:
Learners often use *say* or *tell* instead of *affirm* in formal writing. *Affirm* sounds more formal and is usually used when you want to sound serious or official, especially with *that*-clauses (e.g., "She affirmed that..."), not with indirect objects like "She affirmed me" (use "She assured me" instead).
Sinónimos
assert (Often slightly stronger and more argumentative, suggesting a confident or forceful statement.)
Antónimos
deny (Refuses to accept or state that something is true, the direct opposite of affirming it.)
Colocaciones
affirm that
|publicly affirm
|firmly affirm
|affirm the fact that
|affirm a belief
|affirm under oath
Temas
communication
|law
|belief
Ejemplos
- The witness affirmed that he had seen the suspect at the scene of the crime.
- In her speech, she affirmed that the company would not cut any jobs this year.
- He calmly affirmed his innocence again and again during the interview.
- The report affirms that climate change is already affecting local communities.
- She affirmed, in no uncertain terms, that the rumors were false.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He affirmed that the story was true.
- The teacher affirmed that the test would be next week.
- She affirmed her side of the story to the police.
- The scientist affirmed that the results were correct.
- They affirmed that they understood the rules.
Verbo
B2
action
2
show strong support or recognition
To say or show that a person, idea, or group is good, important, or right, so they feel seen and respected.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] affirms [someone/something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse *affirm* with *confirm*. *Affirm* here is about support and recognition ("affirm someone's identity"), while *confirm* is about checking if something is correct ("confirm a booking"). Also, avoid saying "affirm to" with a person as object in this sense; instead say "affirm someone's identity/value/rights".
Sinónimos
validate (Stresses confirming someone's worth or feelings; *affirm* can sound slightly more public, moral, or principled.)
Antónimos
undermine (Weakens or attacks someone's value, rights, or confidence, the opposite of affirming them.)
Colocaciones
affirm someone's identity
|affirm support for
|affirm commitment to
|affirm the right to
|affirm the dignity of
|affirm shared values
Temas
relationships
|emotions
|society
Ejemplos
- The new policy is meant to affirm the rights of all employees, regardless of background.
- Parents can affirm their children by listening carefully and taking their feelings seriously.
- The organization aims to affirm the identities of LGBTQ+ youth.
- She used the speech to affirm her commitment to social justice.
- Small acts of kindness can affirm a person's sense of worth.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Good friends affirm each other's value.
- The leader affirmed his support for the plan.
- The school affirmed the rights of all students.
- Her words affirmed his choice to change jobs.
- The group wants to affirm the culture of local people.
Verbo
technical
C1
action
3
uphold a legal decision
When a higher court says that a lower court’s decision was right and keeps it in place.
Patrón de uso:
[a court] affirms [a decision/verdict]
Error frecuente:
Learners may try to use this legal meaning in everyday situations, like "My boss affirmed my choice" when they simply mean "agreed with". This technical sense is mainly used with courts, rulings, and judgments.
Sinónimos
uphold (General legal term; *affirm* is more specifically used for appellate courts confirming earlier decisions.)
Antónimos
overturn (Describes a higher court changing or canceling a lower court’s decision, the opposite of affirming it.)
Colocaciones
affirm the ruling
|affirm the conviction
|court affirmed
|unanimously affirm
|affirm the judgment
|affirm the lower court's decision
Temas
law
|government
Ejemplos
- The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling in a 6–3 decision.
- On appeal, the panel affirmed the conviction but reduced the sentence.
- The judgment was affirmed without a written opinion.
- The appellate court affirmed the verdict, finding no error in the trial.
- If the decision is affirmed, the law will remain in force.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The higher court affirmed the first decision.
- The judge said the old ruling was affirmed.
- The appeal failed, and the court affirmed the result.
- The court affirmed the conviction of the driver.
- If the court affirms the ruling, nothing will change.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
affirm
AFI
GB/əfˈɚm/
US/əfˈɚm/
Sílabas y acento
af - firm (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (firm)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: affirm
- 3rd Person Singular: affirms
- Present Participle: affirming
- Past: affirmed
Familia de palabras
Forms
affirms
verb
affirming
verb
affirmed
verb
Core family
affirmation
noun B2
affirmative
adjective B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
deny
verb B1
Expresiones
Todavía no hay expresiones vinculadas a esta entrada.