He confided to /in me about the crime.

[Tan Elaine]

He confided to /in me about the crime.

Which word should I use? Can you explain why, please?

Thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

He confided to /in me about the crime.

Which word should I use? Can you explain why, please?

Thanks.

According to the BNC "confided in" and "confided to" would seem to be about equally used. I don't find your sentence very natural though.

 

[FreeToyInside]

Americans are strongly inclined to say "to confide in sb."

And I agree with bhaisahab, it sounds slightly unnatural to me, I think because of the word "about." I feel more likely to use a noun afterwards, as in:

"He confided in me the details of the crime."
"He confided in me the truth about what happened that night."
"He confided in me what had happened." etc.

(not a teacher, just a language lover)

 

[MikeNewYork]

Americans are strongly inclined to say "to confide in sb."

And I agree with bhaisahab, it sounds slightly unnatural to me, I think because of the word "about." I feel more likely to use a noun afterwards, as in:

"He confided in me the details of the crime."
"He confided in me the truth about what happened that night."
"He confided in me what had happened." etc.

(not a teacher, just a language lover)

I would use confided "in" when the use is intransitive and "to" when the use is transitive.