Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
acknowledged him to
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "acknowledged him to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express recognition or acceptance of someone, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "She acknowledged him to be a valuable member of the team."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
Later, after many critics and some readers had guessed, she acknowledged him to be James Dickey.
News & Media
She had previously seen him on the reality television series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, where she acknowledged him to be "cute", and later on One Tree Hill, where she was impressed by his acting skills; thus, Colletti was contacted to portray the character.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
He said he would only agree to a deal that would acknowledge him to be the leader of Paktia, Khost and Paktika Provinces.
News & Media
Tributes to the "godfather of alternative comedy", as Eddie Izzard describes him in the Independent, widely acknowledge him to have been the driving force behind the Goon Show, the absurdly brilliant 1950s radio show that paved the way for Monty Python.
News & Media
Now, I've only read a little bit of Asimov, but as an occasional sci-fi fan, I certainly acknowledge him to be one of the founding fathers of the genre.
News & Media
Though few other humans acknowledged him, Stevick liked to believe that he was still a participant in this mainstream.
News & Media
In March 1689 James II himself landed in Ireland, and a parliament summoned to Dublin acknowledged him as king.
Encyclopedias
Mr. Collado is convinced that the marquis wanted to acknowledge him and came to visit him in the orphanage.
News & Media
They, of course, did not acknowledge him or seem to recognize his existence in any way.
News & Media
By 138, Antiochus had ended Tryphon's career, and he delivered an ultimatum to the Jews to acknowledge him as overlord.
Encyclopedias
If he shrinks from you when you acknowledge him, and he tries to avoid talking to you don't chase him!
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use more grammatically correct alternatives such as "recognized him as" or "acknowledged him as" to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations. This will improve the professionalism and credibility of your writing.
Common error
Avoid using "to be" after "acknowledged" when referring to someone's role or identity. Instead, use "as". For example, it's better to say "She acknowledged him as a leader" rather than "She acknowledged him to be a leader".
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "acknowledged him to" functions as part of a verb phrase aiming to express recognition or acceptance. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not correct in standard English.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Wiki
50%
Science
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "acknowledged him to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. While it appears in some sources, Ludwig AI flags it as an incorrect construction. The intended meaning of recognizing or accepting someone in a specific role is better conveyed using phrases like "recognized him as" or "acknowledged him as". Therefore, it's best to avoid "acknowledged him to" in formal and academic writing and opt for more grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
recognized him as
Replaces "acknowledged" with "recognized" and uses the correct preposition "as" for grammatical accuracy.
accepted him as
Emphasizes acceptance rather than just recognition, using "as" for correct grammar.
identified him as
Focuses on the act of identifying someone in a particular role or with a specific characteristic, again with the correct "as".
confirmed him to be
Uses "confirmed" to indicate a formal or official acknowledgment, with a grammatically sound structure.
declared him to be
Highlights a public or official declaration of someone's status or identity.
admitted him to be
Implies a reluctant acknowledgment or concession.
proclaimed him to be
Suggests a formal or grand announcement.
regarded him as
Focuses on how someone is perceived or considered.
knew him to be
Emphasizes prior knowledge or understanding.
understood him to be
Highlights a specific understanding or interpretation.
FAQs
What is the correct way to use "acknowledged" when referring to someone's role or identity?
The correct way is to use "acknowledged him as" instead of "acknowledged him to". For example, say "She "acknowledged him as" the leader".
What can I say instead of "acknowledged him to be"?
You can use alternatives like "recognized him as", "accepted him as", or "identified him as" depending on the context.
Is it grammatically correct to say "acknowledged him to be"?
No, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "acknowledged him as" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity and correctness.
What is the difference between "acknowledged him as" and "acknowledged him to be"?
"Acknowledged him as" is the grammatically correct way to express that someone recognized or accepted him in a certain role or identity. "Acknowledged him to be" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested