What is the difference between Affirm and Confirm?

Affirm is a verb that refers to a factual statement that is made positively. For instance, some people like to read daily affirmations, which are verses or quotes that you read to lift yourself. Affirm is a transitive verb that requires a direct subject along with one or more subjects. Affirm can also mean to state something in a legal sense.

Confirm, on the other hand, is an intransitive verb which necessitates an object to come after it, and it denotes to substantiate, establish the truth. It depends on the accuracy of certain variables involved. Confirm can also be used to strengthen a statement. It often comes from knowing something to be accurate and back it up with facts.

Though affirm and confirm are spelled similarly, and they are both transitive verbs, they differ significantly in terms of their meaning. Affirm is used to agree with something. An example can be "She affirmed that the meeting would start at 3 pm EST". Another way to use affirm is in a supporting matter. For example, "My husband affirmed me that my business would be successful." Confirm is used when you want to prove an argument with evidence that can not be disputed. An example of that is "The fingerprint scans from the weapon confirmed that it was, in fact, Jacob's gun."

Affirm and confirm are both transitive verbs but are entirely different in meaning and usage. Affirm can mean to agree, to concur, or to verify something positively. Affirmation, which is the noun form of "affirm," is usually an action carried out with confidence to assert positively to a matter, talk, or whatever. To affirm something is to support and encourage the thing. There can be a form of confirmation in affirmation. Its antonym is basically "deny." On the other hand, confirm can mean "to strengthen" or "to make firm." Confirm is also used to assure the accuracy of a matter, circumstance, or action. As affirm is majorly known to be a positive statement, while confirm can have to do with both positive and negative. The antonyms of "confirm" include deny, contradict, dispute, and more. With the proper understanding of these two words, you should know which to use in your sentences because the two words cannot be used interchangeably.

When you say, “affirm,” this means that you are trying to make something valid. For example, someone may be asking you a question about a subject that you are an expert in. When you affirm the statement that is given to you, this means that this is true.

This is different from the word “confirm” which means that you are making a valid approval of something. For example, someone would like to know if you have already received a package that was sent to you. Confirming the receipt of the package means that you have validated that you have received it.

Affirm and confirm are two examples of transitive verbs, but they are not in any way referring to the same thing; in fact, both have different antonyms, synonyms. As a verb, affirm means to concur, verify, and to agree. In short, it means to answer positively. For instance, you can say: He affirmed that he would visit when I asked him. It also means supporting or encouraging. For example, My parents did all they could to affirm my self-confidence.

When passing judgments, the word 'affirm' is usually used to assert positively. For example, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision reached by the lower court. Confirm, on the other hand, means to strengthen something with proof to the point that it can never be disputed. For example, The DNA test confirmed that John is the real father. It can also be used to assure the accuracy or authenticity of a report.