acknowledges

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'acknowledges' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has recognized, accepted, or otherwise agreed to something. For example, "The company acknowledges the importance of customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also acknowledges that the SDLP has suffered from being stereotyped as the Stormont psychiatrist, trying to encourage unionists and republicans alike to analyse their problems as each new nervous breakdown hits the peace process, but sometimes missing out on a share of the glory when the crisis passes.

The Guardian

Willis acknowledges that the number of people – overwhelmingly, women – seeking support from her organisation has increased since family violence survivor Rosie Batty's story made headlines.

The Guardian

Copyright law acknowledges the value of the creative process.

The Guardian

This incident and an abandoned plan to stand in the general election notwithstanding, Morrison acknowledges the positive aspects of being in political office at a young age.

The Guardian

February 2003: As the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces looms, President Khatami acknowledges the existence of the Natanz facility.

The Guardian

Years & Years are also not infrequently compared to Disclosure, and Alexander acknowledges the similarity, but thinks they're really closer to the Pet Shop Boys.

The Guardian - Music

What Is It Good For? "'War,' he thinks, 'has made humanity safer and richer'… Morris's book bears many resemblances to – and often openly acknowledges – similar books by writers such as Jared Diamond and Steven Pinker".

The Guardian - Books

The manual also deals with wider constitutional issues, such as the decision to go to war, and acknowledges that a "convention had developed in parliament that before troops were committed the House of Commons should have an opportunity to debate the matter".

The Guardian

Wise acknowledges that Northumberland needs to do more to capitalise on its scarce resource and believes the region needs a couple more observatories to ensure that visitors will see what they came for.

The Guardian

Transfer kitty Unknown but likely to be significant as Ellis Short, the owner, acknowledges the need to spend.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: The dermatologist: shipping us out of hospitals would be a mistake Skills for Health, the sector skills council for the NHS, acknowledges that new roles need to emerge to meet current and future NHS needs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acknowledges" when you want to express that someone or something recognizes the validity or existence of a fact, claim, or situation. It is often used in formal writing and conveys a sense of acceptance or awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledges" interchangeably with verbs like "agrees" or "endorses" if the intention is merely to note something without necessarily implying agreement or acceptance. "Acknowledges" simply means to recognize or admit, not necessarily to approve or support.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acknowledges" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being recognized or admitted. As Ludwig AI indicates, it highlights the recognition of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "acknowledges" is a common and grammatically sound term used to express the recognition or acceptance of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic writing. The linguistic analysis reveals that "acknowledges" functions as a transitive verb, conveying a sense of formality and objectivity. While alternatives like "recognizes", "admits", and "confirms" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Remember to use "acknowledges" to precisely express the recognition of validity without necessarily implying agreement. Ludwig examples showcase diverse applications, reinforcing its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizes

Implies a formal or official acceptance or awareness.

confirms

Implies verifying or establishing the truth or accuracy of something.

admits

Suggests conceding something, often reluctantly.

concedes

Similar to "admits" but often in the context of an argument or debate.

affirms

Indicates a strong and public declaration of belief or agreement.

realizes

Suggests becoming aware of something that was not previously known.

notes

Indicates making a specific observation or comment about something.

grants

Suggests allowing or permitting something, often as a right or privilege.

understands

Implies a cognitive grasp or comprehension of something.

cites

Involves referencing or quoting a source to support a claim or argument.

FAQs

How can I use "acknowledges" in a sentence?

You can use "acknowledges" to indicate that someone recognizes or accepts something. For example, "The report "acknowledges that" more funding is needed".

What are some alternatives to "acknowledges"?

Alternatives include "recognizes", "admits", and "confirms", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "acknowledges to" instead of "acknowledges"?

No, it is generally incorrect to use "acknowledges to". The correct usage is simply "acknowledges" followed by the object of recognition, such as "He "acknowledges the problem"".

What is the difference between "acknowledges" and "agrees"?

"Acknowledges" means to recognize or admit something, while "agrees" means to have the same opinion about something. You can acknowledge a fact without agreeing with its implications. For example, "She "acknowledges the evidence", but does not agree with the conclusion".