Comprehensive Guide to Synonyms for “Grants”
Grants – Definition and Part of Speech
The term grants functions as both a noun and a verb in English.
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As a noun, it refers to an amount of money or other resources given by an organization, especially a government, business, or foundation, to support a particular purpose.
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Example: “The research project received grants from several foundations.”
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As a verb (third person singular form), grants means to agree to give something requested. It implies an authoritative approval or provision of resources.
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Example: “The committee will grant permission for the event if safety measures are assured.”
Core Synonyms
Below is a table with primary synonyms for both noun and verb forms, capturing their nuances and usage contexts.
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Often implies a formal decision, especially in academic or professional contexts. | “The university award granted him the scholarship.” | Formal/Professional |
| Funding | Emphasizes money given for a project or organization. | “We secured additional funding to complete our initiative.” | Business/Formal |
| Endowment | Usually refers to a donation of money or property to support a person or institution in perpetuity. | “The college received an endowment from a wealthy alumnus.” | Academic/Financial |
| Bestow | As a verb, denotes the act of giving something honorably or ceremonially. | “They bestowed honors on the graduates during the ceremony.” | Formal/Ceremonial |
| Confer | Implies granting an authority, right, or status through formal action. | “The board will confer the title at the annual meeting.” | Academic/Formal |
Usage Notes
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Award is often used in contexts involving competitions, scholarships, and honors, where a decision-making process determines who receives something.
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Business Use: Announcing company awards for employee excellence.
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Academic Use: Discussing grants awarded by research councils.
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Funding focuses on financial support, typically over an extended period, making it suitable for business or project management contexts.
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Formal Use: “The funding from the government agency supports multiple projects.”
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Endowment implies a lasting form of financial support, usually linked to institutions like universities or hospitals.
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Academic/Financial Context: “The school’s endowment allows it to fund numerous scholarships each year.”
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Bestow carries ceremonial weight and is often used when discussing honors or titles given in a formal context.
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Creative/Ceremonial Use: “She was chosen to bestow the accolades at the gala.”
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Confer suggests an authoritative decision, particularly involving rights, positions, or privileges.
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Formal/Professional Setting: “The board will confer the award upon distinguished service members.”
Common Pitfalls
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Grant vs. Granting: Sometimes, people mix up “grant” as a noun with its verbal form “granting,” especially in writing contexts where passive constructions are common.
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Award vs. Funding: It’s important to distinguish between an award, which often involves some kind of selection process or merit, and funding, which primarily concerns financial support without necessarily implying merit-based criteria.
Final Recap
The key synonyms for grants include award, funding, endowment, bestow, and confer. Each carries subtle differences in meaning and context that are useful depending on the situation:
- Use award when a decision or judgment has led to a grant.
- Choose funding when discussing financial resources for projects.
- Opt for endowment with long-term financial support linked to institutions.
- Employ bestow in contexts where there’s an honor or ceremonial aspect.
- Select confer when authority or rights are granted through formal action.
Encourage yourself to experiment with these synonyms by using them in different sentences and settings. Practicing will help solidify their meanings and enhance your vocabulary.