I would concede that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I would concede that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging a point or argument made by someone else, often in a debate or discussion. Example: "While I disagree with many of your views, I would concede that your point about the importance of education is valid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I would concede that Jimmy probably has the better disguised, the more lethal in-swinger than Ian," said Willis.

Independent

"As America's sole surviving double dipper," he said, "I would concede that the numbers have broken to the upside temporarily.

The New York Times

But though I am partisan, – as a musician and Yes Scotland board member – I would concede that Bowie has mildly troubled a few indy-minded creatives.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Yes, he filed ethics charges against Speaker Wright, and I would concede that it wasn't just because Newt was out to clean up Congress," said Dan Meyer, a former Gingrich aide.

The New York Times

Mr. Bolick, while I would concede that you may be able to identify a parent or even a few who have sought to beat the system, your suggestion that they are representative is every bit as outrageous as my suggesting that Enron's behavior reflects corporate America.

The New York Times

Although, I would concede, that the pervasive shortsightedness around HIV isn't the same as yesteryear, the stigma and discrimination today is still just as palpable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Even Agent 007 would concede that's something you don't see every day.

Los Angeles Times

I've never flown Emirates before, but I'd concede that business class is hardly a burden.

The Guardian - Travel

I've been writing the New Band of the Day column for six and a half years and I'd venture that the most frequently cited influence – way more than the Beatles, Stones or the Velvets – would be the Mac, although I'd concede that this might be because I seek out purveyors of deathlessly immaculate west coast pop.

The Guardian - Music

If the positive exceeded the negative, then I'd concede that those articles and books were right: Parenthood is worth it.

Huffington Post

If I'm as generous as humanly possible, I'd concede that some of these establishments look pretty cool if you block out all the screaming idiots.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I would concede that", follow it with a clear and specific statement of what you are conceding. Avoid vague or ambiguous language.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences or paragraphs with "I would concede that". Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and formulaic. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "I admit that" or "I acknowledge that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I would concede that" functions as a concessive expression, introducing a statement that acknowledges a point or argument made by another party. It often precedes a counter-argument or qualification, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I would concede that" serves as a valuable tool for acknowledging opposing viewpoints with fairness. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, according to Ludwig, it should be used judiciously to prevent repetition. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, but also sees use in scientific and formal business contexts. For alternative expressions consider using "I admit that" or "I acknowledge that" to maintain variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I acknowledge that

More formal and emphasizes recognition of a fact or situation.

I recognize that

Emphasizes understanding or awareness.

I admit that

More direct and less formal.

I have to admit that

Similar to "I admit that" but with a sense of obligation.

I grant that

Formal and implies a reluctant agreement.

I must confess that

Implies revealing something previously unacknowledged.

I allow that

Indicates permission or acceptance of a point.

I can see that

More conversational and implies understanding after consideration.

It is my understanding that

Shifts focus to personal comprehension.

It is my belief that

Expresses a personal conviction.

FAQs

How can I use "I would concede that" in a sentence?

Use "I would concede that" to acknowledge a point in an argument. For example, "While I disagree with your broader claims, I would concede that your analysis of the data is accurate."

What's a more formal way to say "I would concede that"?

More formal alternatives include "I acknowledge that" or "I grant that". These options are suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is it better to use "I would concede that" or "I concede that"?

"I concede that" is a more direct and assertive statement. "I would concede that" is slightly more tentative and polite, suitable when you want to soften the impact of your concession.

When is it appropriate to use "I would concede that"?

Use "I would concede that" when you want to acknowledge a valid point or fact, even if it goes against your overall argument or position. It's often used to demonstrate fairness and objectivity.