acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "acknowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an understanding or recognition of a fact or situation. For example, "I acknowledge that my behavior was inappropriate and apologize for any offense I may have caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We acknowledge that.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and pay our respects to the Elders past and present.

The Guardian

His heroism had been forgotten, but doing something like this means you give the person whose life was cut short another chance, and you acknowledge the part their life played in the next chapter of your family's story".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So her protestations of ordinariness might all seem somewhat disingenuous – though it's refreshing to hear a pop megastar acknowledge concepts such as luck and chance, rather than grimly trotting out American dream cliches and Protestant work ethic myths – were it not for her own career decisions bearing it out.

The Guardian - Music

"The fact that Indonesia for a long time refused to even acknowledge that there was a double standard in their insistence that Australia was infringing their sovereignty by appealing for clemency, while at the same time appealing for clemency for its own citizens facing the death penalty in other countries, that has been really quite damaging from Australia's point of view," he said.

The Guardian

For all the optimism, church insiders privately acknowledge the decline of what are often already tiny rural churches means something will have to change.

The Guardian

But David Cameron's too tipsy on the fracking kool-aid to acknowledge biogas's potential.

The Guardian

"Most came back and said: 'Wow, I haven't had something like this since I left the police academy.'" "We have been intoxicated with bad policing in America for a long time," says borough president Adams, "and we have refused to acknowledge that drunkenness.

The Guardian

"On behalf of the Australian government I acknowledge the passing of Neville Wran AC CNZM QC," the prime minister said on Monday.

The Guardian

Frood is quick to acknowledge that she's in a fortunate position.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acknowledge" when you want to formally recognize or accept something as true or valid. It carries a sense of formality and can be used in both personal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledge" in very casual conversations where simpler words like "know", "see", or "get" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your communication sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acknowledge" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being recognized or admitted. Ludwig AI examples show it used in contexts requiring recognition of facts, acceptance of contributions, or acknowledgment of receipt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acknowledge" is a versatile verb used to express recognition, acceptance, or admission. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently encountered in news and formal business contexts, signaling a formal or serious tone. While alternatives like "recognize" or "admit" exist, "acknowledge" carries a specific nuance of formal acknowledgement. Remembering to use it appropriately, particularly avoiding over-formality in casual settings, is key to effective communication. The source quality for this word is high, indicating its reliability in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognize

Focuses on formally recognizing or taking notice of something.

admit

Implies conceding or confessing to something, often reluctantly.

concede

Similar to admit, but often used in the context of arguments or debates.

accept

Suggests agreeing with or taking something as valid or true.

affirm

Means to state something strongly or publicly.

confirm

Implies verifying or establishing the truth of something.

own up to

An informal way of admitting responsibility for something.

take notice of

Emphasizes paying attention to something.

give credence to

Implies believing or accepting something as true.

bear in mind

Suggests remembering and considering something.

FAQs

How to use "acknowledge" in a sentence?

"Acknowledge" can be used to express recognition of a fact, gratitude for a favor, or receipt of communication. For example, "I "acknowledge" your contribution to the project" or "Please "acknowledge" receipt of this email."

What can I say instead of "acknowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "recognize", "admit", or "concede" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "acknowledge" or "recognize"?

Both ""acknowledge"" and "recognize" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Acknowledge" often implies a formal acceptance or awareness, while "recognize" simply means to identify or be aware of something.

What's the difference between "acknowledge" and "ignore"?

"Acknowledge" means to recognize or accept something, while "ignore" means to deliberately pay no attention to something. They are antonyms.