acknowledge about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledge about" is not correct and usable in written English.
It should be "acknowledge" or "acknowledge of." For example, "The company acknowledged their mistake."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

That distortion says much about the Academy — much that the Academy wouldn't like to acknowledge about itself.

The New Yorker

This is because Jefferson's Koran embodies the twin truths we must acknowledge about America's relationship with Muslims.

The Washington Post

It is the underbelly that in a way defines what Bollywood actually is but rarely wants to acknowledge about itself".

The Guardian - Film

That distortion says much about the Academy much that the Academy wouldn't like to acknowledge about itself.

The New Yorker

It is no small praise for Carver to acknowledge about Becker: "He had all the RAM he needed in his No. 2 Dixon Ticonderoga pencil".

The New York Times - Books

Still, the sport has to soldier on, and Chad Brown, whose Street Life was fourth, said what many must begrudgingly acknowledge about Union Rags and about what turned into a big day at the track.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Official North Korean figures acknowledged about 200,000 refugees.

The New York Times

But the alliance is striking because of what it tacitly acknowledges about each company's weaknesses.

The New York Times

Reichelt said he acknowledged about a third of staff were unhappy with the Abbot Point decision.

The Guardian

There is no truth universally acknowledged about Lit Hum, and therein lies one of its greatest appeals.

Columbia University

In its very fantasy and excess, Bruegel's painting reveals truths never officially acknowledged about the way the world is.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "acknowledge about" in formal writing. Use "acknowledge" followed directly by the object of the verb (e.g., "Acknowledge the issue") or, if necessary, "acknowledge something about" (e.g. "Acknowledge something specific about the situation").

Common error

The preposition "about" is often mistakenly added after "acknowledge" because it sounds similar to phrases like "aware of" or "concerned about". Remember that "acknowledge" typically doesn't require a preposition when directly followed by the object of the verb.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acknowledge" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. In the incorrect phrase "acknowledge about", the preposition disrupts this direct relationship. As Ludwig AI points out, the grammatically correct use involves following "acknowledge" directly with the object.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

22%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "acknowledge about" appears in some sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The proper usage involves using "acknowledge" directly followed by the object of the verb or using the form "acknowledge something about". Ludwig AI highlights that alternatives like "acknowledge something", "recognize something", or "admit something" are more appropriate. When aiming for clear and correct writing, especially in formal contexts, avoiding "acknowledge about" is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledge something

Removes the preposition "about", resulting in a grammatically correct phrase.

recognize something

Substitutes "acknowledge" with "recognize", implying a similar sense of awareness or acceptance.

admit something

Replaces "acknowledge" with "admit", suggesting a more direct and possibly reluctant acceptance of something.

be aware of something

Uses "be aware of" to convey understanding or knowledge of a particular fact or situation.

take note of something

Employs "take note of" to highlight the act of paying attention to something important.

be conscious of something

Utilizes "be conscious of" to express awareness or sensitivity towards a particular issue.

realize something

Replaces "acknowledge" with "realize", indicating a moment of understanding or recognition.

confess something

Uses "confess" to suggest admitting something that was previously hidden or denied.

own up to something

Substitutes with "own up to", implying acceptance of responsibility for an action or mistake.

fess up to something

Replaces with "fess up to", suggesting informal admission of something, often a mistake.

FAQs

How to properly use "acknowledge" in a sentence?

Use "acknowledge" directly followed by the object you are recognizing or admitting, like "acknowledge the mistake" or "acknowledge their contribution". Avoid adding prepositions like "about" after "acknowledge" in such cases.

What can I say instead of "acknowledge about"?

Since "acknowledge about" is incorrect, use alternatives such as "acknowledge something", "recognize something", or "admit something" depending on the intended meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "acknowledge about"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is to use "acknowledge" followed directly by the object, without the preposition "about".

What's the difference between "acknowledge" and "be aware of"?

"Acknowledge" implies a formal recognition or admission, whereas "be aware of" simply means having knowledge or consciousness of something. You might "be aware of" a problem without formally acknowledging it.