Acknowledged

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "acknowledged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that you accept or recognize something. For example: "I acknowledged her apology and thanked her for being so understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He acknowledged that the no campaign needed to appeal to the heart as well as the head but argued the big question is what impact separation would have on family finances and whether Scottish people would be able to afford the NHS and pensions.

The Guardian

We have to acknowledge that pre-1788, this land was as Aboriginal then as it is Australian now and until we have acknowledged that, we will be an incomplete nation and a torn people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Please ensure GNM has acknowledged your notice of cancellation.

The Guardian

Provided GNM has received your notice of cancellation within this time frame (and acknowledged your notice), GNM will refund any fees received from you less the deposit where applicable.

The Guardian

It has acknowledged that the deficit, forecast at 8 percent of G.D.P. this year, needs to fall.

The New York Times

Cambridgeshire police acknowledged the "serious nature of the allegations".

The Guardian

One thing about Australia's recent Carlton Mid Series against the Proteas that struck me as being particularly inept was the perfunctory and unceremonious manner in which Steve Smith was acknowledged as player-of-the-series, receiving little more than a handshake before Mark Nicholas threw to the end credits and another post-cricket airing of Christopher Reeve-era Superman.

The Guardian - Sport

He acknowledged that his fellow members could have lied to him about who they voted for but claimed that Fifa deliberately tampered with the vote.

The Guardian - Sport

Bennett thanked Jones for her intervention but acknowledged that the interview had been "excruciating".

The Guardian

A USAid official acknowledged that more needed to be done, and said the agency was committed to increasing the number of Haitian groups with which it partners directly.

The Guardian

The government has acknowledged that another boat, carrying 41 asylum seekers, was handed over to the Sri Lankan navy during an on-water transfer off the coast of Sri Lanka.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acknowledged" to indicate a formal recognition or acceptance of a fact, situation, or statement. It's particularly effective in professional and academic writing to convey authority and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledged" too frequently in informal conversations. Simpler terms like "understood" or "recognized" may sound more natural and less stilted in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acknowledged" is to act as a past participle of the verb "acknowledge", often used in passive voice constructions. It can also function as an adjective, describing something that is generally accepted or recognized. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is used correctly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acknowledged" is a versatile word that functions as both a past participle and an adjective, primarily used to convey recognition, acceptance, or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. As evidenced by the numerous examples from Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While "acknowledged" is appropriate for professional and academic settings, consider using simpler alternatives in informal conversation to avoid sounding overly formal. Remember that "acknowledged" carries a different connotation than "admitted", with the former being more neutral and the latter suggesting a reluctant concession.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Recognized

Similar to "Acknowledged", implying awareness or acceptance of something's existence or validity.

Accepted

"Accepted" implies willingly receiving or agreeing to something, acknowledging its validity.

Admitted

"Admitted" suggests conceding to something, often reluctantly, implying acceptance of truth.

Realized

"Realized" suggests becoming aware of something, acknowledging its existence or truth.

Confirmed

"Confirmed" implies verifying the truth or accuracy of something, acknowledging its validity.

Conceded

"Conceded" indicates reluctantly acknowledging or admitting something, often in argument or debate.

Grasped

"Grasped" means comprehending something fully, acknowledging understanding or knowledge.

Understood

"Understood" suggests having grasped the meaning or significance of something, acknowledging comprehension.

Appreciated

"Appreciated" means recognizing the value or significance of something, acknowledging its worth.

Registered

"Registered" implies making a formal note or record of something, acknowledging its presence or occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "Acknowledged" in a sentence?

You can use "Acknowledged" to indicate that something has been recognized or accepted. For example, "The company "acknowledged the error" in their financial statements" or "It is widely "acknowledged that" climate change is a pressing issue".

What's the difference between "Acknowledged" and "Admitted"?

"Acknowledged" implies recognition of a fact or situation, while "Admitted" suggests confessing or conceding something, often reluctantly. Therefore, "acknowledged" is more neutral, while "admitted" carries a connotation of admitting fault or wrongdoing. For instance, someone might acknowledge a mistake without necessarily admitting guilt.

What are some alternatives to "Acknowledged"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "recognized", "confirmed", "accepted", or "conceded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "Acknowledge" or "Acknowledged"?

The correct form depends on the grammatical context. "Acknowledge" is the base verb form (e.g., "I acknowledge your efforts"). "Acknowledged" is the past tense and past participle (e.g., "He acknowledged the problem", "The problem was acknowledged").