acknowledge to

USAGE SUMMARY

"acknowledge to" is not correct English.
Instead, you can use the word "acknowledge" in various ways. For example: I would like to acknowledge everyone who contributed to this project.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Waller initially refused to acknowledge to the agents that he'd cheated.

The New Yorker

The first step is to simply acknowledge to one another that you're both under stress.

The New York Times

Finally, she mustered the wherewithal to acknowledge to herself that she was trans.

The New Yorker

That is surely something to acknowledge, to ponder, and to be thankful for.

The New York Times

It's not that we can't be anxious, it's that we need to acknowledge to ourselves that we are.

The New York Times

"We acknowledge to ourselves privately that Pakistan is a client state of the U.S.," Mr. Hoodbhoy said.

The New York Times

Yet they acknowledge to the ethics committee that Mr. Jackson's staff may have stepped over the line.

The New York Times

The carver refuses to acknowledge to Mr. Goldberg that Israel is legitimate and ends up in solitary confinement.

The New York Times - Books

As the steps progress, a user must acknowledge to his I.S.P. that he understands the notice, and the user can also contest the complaint.

The New York Times

But Mr. Obama is already moving quietly, officials acknowledge, to explore whether he can scale back a 10-year, $80 billion program to modernize the country's weapons laboratories.

The New York Times

So we'll acknowledge to ourselves that we've just delivered a performance, put a full stop on it and go back to work.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acknowledge" directly followed by the object of acknowledgement. For instance, "Acknowledge the issue" instead of "Acknowledge to the issue."

Common error

The most frequent error is adding "to" after "acknowledge". Remember, "acknowledge" typically doesn't need a preposition unless you're acknowledging someone for something (e.g., "Acknowledge him for his work").

Linguistic Context

Acknowledge functions as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. Adding 'to' after "acknowledge" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts, according to Ludwig AI. The verb means to accept or admit the truth or existence of (something).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "acknowledge to" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct form is simply "acknowledge", followed directly by the object being acknowledged. This verb is frequently used in news, scientific, and formal contexts to express recognition or acceptance. Ensure you avoid the common error of adding "to" after "acknowledge", and instead, use the verb directly to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledge

This is the correct and most direct way to express acknowledgment without the unnecessary preposition.

recognize

Similar to acknowledge, but often implies a more formal or official acceptance.

admit

Suggests conceding something, often reluctantly.

confess

Implies admitting to something wrong or embarrassing.

own up to

An informal way to admit responsibility for something.

attest to

Indicates providing evidence or confirmation of something.

bear witness to

Suggests directly observing and confirming something.

certify

A formal declaration of truth or accuracy.

concede

To acknowledge defeat.

declare

To make a formal or emphatic statement.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "acknowledge" in a sentence?

Use "acknowledge" directly followed by what you are acknowledging, such as, "I acknowledge the problem". Avoid adding "to" after "acknowledge" unless it's followed by a person and you are recognizing them for something, for example, "I acknowledge John for his contribution".

What can I say instead of "acknowledge to"?

You can use alternatives such as /s/acknowledge, /s/recognize, or /s/admit depending on the specific context. The word "acknowledge" is correct without the addition of "to".

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

"Acknowledge" is correct. "Acknowledge to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in most contexts. You would simply "acknowledge" something or someone.

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

The phrase "acknowledge" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. "Acknowledge to" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Always use "acknowledge" followed directly by the object.