acknowledge by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledge by" is not correct in standard written English.
It typically requires a subject or an object to complete the thought, such as "acknowledged by" or "acknowledge someone by." Example: "The findings were acknowledged by the committee as significant contributions to the field."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The book has more rich stories and characters than could ever fit into a mini-series, a fact the producers acknowledge by leaving most of it out.

The Guardian - Opinion

When I asked the Metropolitan Police Service to comment on Lambert's role, a spokesman would only acknowledge by e-mail that Lambert had been an undercover police officer.

The New Yorker

Human error is forgivable, but Aviva's sluggish approach to rectifying it is unacceptable, a fact it appears to acknowledge by granting you £400 compensation for the distress and inconvenience.

The Guardian - Money

Still, as Manstein knew but would not acknowledge, by the late 1930s the army and Hitler made up a curiously Siamese entity — each was but half of two — so that serving one's country effectively became synonymous with serving Hitler.

The New York Times - Books

With reference to your recent coverage of the Bradford City fire and Martin Fletcher's book about it ('No accident': stadium fire that killed 56, 16 April, and several subsequent reports), 11 May will see the 30th anniversary of this tragic event, which relatives and survivors will no doubt wish to acknowledge by private grief and sad recollection.

The Guardian

And then comes the book's main event, a hurricane with echoes of Sandy, Katrina and even Sept. 11 that finally forces New Yorkers to abandon their customary posture of studied apathy and acknowledge, by fleeing, that this is no longer business as usual.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Neither is acknowledged by the Guardian.

The Guardian

They're acknowledged by the White House.

The New York Times

This point was acknowledged by Wang.

The Guardian

Years later, Blake is hardly acknowledged by Stoops.

The New York Times - Sports

Each of those strikes was quietly acknowledged by the coach.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "acknowledge by" with clearer alternatives such as "acknowledged by", "recognize through", or "confirm via" to ensure grammatical correctness and improved readability.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledge by" when a passive construction is required. It's often more appropriate to use "acknowledged by", as in "This fact is acknowledged by experts". Using "acknowledge by" without the -ed ending can lead to grammatical errors and ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledge by" typically functions as a verb followed by a preposition. However, it is often grammatically incomplete and requires further context or rephrasing to convey a clear meaning. Ludwig AI points out that the phrase often needs an object or a subject to be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acknowledge by" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig AI explains, it typically requires an object or subject to complete its meaning, often making "acknowledged by" the more appropriate choice. While present in some contexts like news or scientific publications, its usage is infrequent and often reflects less-than-ideal phrasing. When writing, prioritize clarity and grammatical correctness by opting for alternatives like "recognized through", "confirmed via", or simply restructuring the sentence to use "acknowledged by" correctly. Aim for precise language that avoids ambiguity and adheres to standard grammatical conventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confirm via

Focuses on verifying or establishing the truth of something through a particular means.

recognize through

Emphasizes identifying something as a result of something else. The focus shifts from acknowledgment to recognition.

validate by

Focuses on establishing the validity or correctness of something through a specific method.

indicate via

Highlights the act of showing or pointing out through a specific method. "Indicate" is less formal than "acknowledge".

attest through

Implies providing evidence or proof of something by means of something else. More formal than "acknowledge".

show by

A more direct and simple way of expressing that something is demonstrated through a particular action.

signal through

Suggests a less direct or obvious form of communication or indication.

demonstrate with

Highlights the use of something as a means to show or prove a point or ability.

express through

Emphasizes conveying a feeling or thought by means of a particular action or medium. More abstract than "acknowledge".

admit through

Suggests that something is conceded or acknowledged reluctantly by means of an action or statement. Implies a previous denial.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "acknowledge" with a preposition?

The most common and grammatically correct form is "acknowledged by", as in "The author is "acknowledged by" his peers". Other prepositions might be used with different meanings, such as "acknowledge in" or "acknowledge for", but "by" is the standard for attribution.

What are some alternatives to "acknowledge by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "recognized by", "confirmed by", or "indicated by" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is "acknowledge by" grammatically correct?

In most contexts, "acknowledge by" is not grammatically correct. The past participle form "acknowledged by" is generally preferred. "Acknowledge by" can sometimes appear, but these instances are often better phrased for clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "acknowledge by" for better clarity?

Instead of "They acknowledge the problem by ignoring it", try "They "show that they acknowledge the problem by" ignoring it" or "Their actions acknowledge the problem, though they ignore it". Changing the sentence structure can improve clarity and grammatical correctness.