Acknowledging wrongdoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Acknowledging wrongdoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone admits to or recognizes their mistakes or unethical actions. Example: "The company issued a public statement acknowledging wrongdoing in their business practices and committed to making changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Even without issuing a formal apology, government officials have begun acknowledging wrongdoing.

The New York Times

In general, such agreements result in companies acknowledging wrongdoing by not contesting criminal charges, but without formally admitting guilt.

The New York Times

But St. John's is not helping itself with the N.C.A.A. by delaying its submission until yesterday, and not acknowledging wrongdoing.

The New York Times - Sports

Like Mr. Lay, several of his associates in R&C paid to settle civil litigation without acknowledging wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Judge Rakoff has taken aim at the S.E.C.'s long standing "neither admit nor deny" policy, which allows companies to settle enforcement cases without acknowledging wrongdoing.

The New York Times

While not acknowledging wrongdoing, Chirac and his party struck a deal last year with Socialist-run Paris City Hall to pay back €2.2m for the jobs in question.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

You know, I have acknowledged wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Notably, Spurr has never acknowledged wrongdoing, let alone apologised.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sticking point, the people said, was Mr. Meister's demand that the bank acknowledge wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Banks are typically loath to acknowledge wrongdoing, fearing it could expose them to shareholder lawsuits.

The New York Times

The Working Families Party did not acknowledge wrongdoing in Tuesday's settlement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, follow "acknowledging wrongdoing" with a clear statement of intent to rectify the situation or prevent future occurrences.

Common error

Avoid simply "acknowledging wrongdoing" without explaining what the wrongdoing was. Readers or listeners need to understand the specific actions being admitted to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledging wrongdoing" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of admitting to unethical or illegal behavior. Ludwig examples show its use in describing legal settlements and ethical breaches.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acknowledging wrongdoing" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase denoting the act of admitting to an offense or unethical behavior. Ludwig AI affirms its usability, finding it primarily in news and formal contexts, such as legal settlements and official statements. While alternatives like "admitting fault" or "taking responsibility" exist, "acknowledging wrongdoing" often suggests a more formal or serious context. When using this phrase, specificity and a clear intent to rectify the situation are crucial for maintaining sincerity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Admitting fault

Focuses specifically on admitting responsibility for an error.

Confessing guilt

Implies a more formal or legal admission of responsibility.

Accepting blame

Highlights the acceptance of responsibility for negative outcomes.

Taking responsibility

Emphasizes the acceptance of accountability for actions.

Recognizing error

Focuses on the awareness and understanding of a mistake.

Owning up to mistakes

An informal way of expressing the admission of errors.

Fessing up

An even more informal way of admitting something, often minor.

Expressing remorse

Highlights feelings of regret about actions.

Making amends

Focuses on actions taken to repair damage caused by wrongdoing.

Offering an apology

Highlights the act of saying sorry for the wrongdoing.

FAQs

What does "acknowledging wrongdoing" mean?

Acknowledging wrongdoing means admitting that one has done something wrong or unethical. It involves recognizing and accepting responsibility for one's actions.

What are some alternatives to "acknowledging wrongdoing"?

You can use alternatives such as "admitting fault", "confessing guilt", or "taking responsibility" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to apologize when "acknowledging wrongdoing"?

While not always explicitly stated, "acknowledging wrongdoing" often implies remorse and may be accompanied by an apology. An apology can help demonstrate sincerity and a commitment to making amends.

What is the difference between "acknowledging wrongdoing" and "making amends"?

"Acknowledging wrongdoing" is the act of admitting fault, while "making amends" refers to the actions taken to repair the damage caused by the wrongdoing. One often follows the other.