acknowledges to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'acknowledges to' is not considered a grammatically correct phrase in Standard English.
A more appropriate phrase would be 'acknowledges' or 'acknowledges that.' For example: John acknowledges that his mistake was a costly one.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

It's necessary, as everybody but the Obama administration publicly acknowledges, to see Assad toppled.

The New York Times

There is some truth in what Mr. Kagan acknowledges to be a deliberate caricature.

The New York Times

At the end, Stark acknowledges to the public, "I am Iron Man," setting up a possible sequel.

The New Yorker

"It's a purging process that is based on what the state already acknowledges to be inaccurate information," Mr. Simon said.

The New York Times

KAMPALA, Uganda - There are some distinct advantages, Oyo Nyimba Kabambaiguru Rukidi IV acknowledges, to being a king.

The New York Times

It takes a rich man, he acknowledges, to afford a large-scale moss installation at $20 a square foot.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

English is therefore acknowledged to be indispensable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"He reacted aggressively," he acknowledged to Mr. Riley.

The New York Times

Paulson acknowledged to Bernanke that he had authorized the comments.

The New Yorker

The partition is frankly acknowledged to have been a mistake.

The Economist

Stone acknowledged to me that the ads were authentic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "acknowledges to" with the simpler verb "acknowledges" or use "acknowledges that" followed by a clause. This ensures your writing aligns with standard English usage.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledges to" in formal writing. It's often seen as redundant. Instead, use "acknowledges" followed directly by the object of the verb or "acknowledges that" followed by a clause for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The verb phrase "acknowledges to" attempts to express the act of recognizing or admitting something. However, it's considered non-standard. The intended function is typically achieved using simply "acknowledges" or "acknowledges that." According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acknowledges to" is generally regarded as grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI recommends using the simpler and more widely accepted verb "acknowledges" or the construction "acknowledges that" for greater clarity and grammatical accuracy. While instances of the phrase might appear in various sources, it's advisable to avoid it in formal writing and aim for more standard phrasing. Alternative verbs like "admits", "concedes", or "recognizes" offer suitable replacements depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admits

This term offers a more direct way of expressing the act of confessing or conceding something, omitting the preposition.

concedes

Similar to 'admits', this term implies yielding or acknowledging a point or fact, replacing the preposition 'to'.

recognizes

Indicates an awareness or acceptance of something, offering a more formal and neutral tone without the need for 'to'.

grants

Implies conceding or allowing something, substituting a more affirmative tone.

candidly admits

Adds emphasis to the admission, highlighting the honesty or openness of the acknowledgement.

openly acknowledges

Similar to 'candidly admits', this phrase emphasizes the transparency of the admission.

professes

Signifies a declaration or avowal of something, focusing on the act of stating belief.

avows

Similar to 'professes', this implies a confident and emphatic declaration.

attests

Indicates bearing witness to or affirming something as true, often in a formal setting.

certifies

Implies formally confirming or verifying something, often in an official capacity.

FAQs

How can I use the verb "acknowledge" correctly in a sentence?

Use "acknowledge" followed directly by the object (e.g., "He acknowledges his mistake") or use "acknowledge that" followed by a clause (e.g., "He acknowledges that he made a mistake").

Is "acknowledges to" grammatically correct?

No, "acknowledges to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form is usually "acknowledges" or "acknowledges that."

What are some alternatives to "acknowledges"?

Alternatives include "admits", "concedes", or "recognizes", depending on the context.

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

"Acknowledges" is the standard verb form. "Acknowledges to" is not grammatically correct in most contexts and should be avoided in favor of simply using "acknowledges".