acknowledging wrongdoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledging wrongdoing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of admitting or recognizing a mistake or fault, often in a formal or serious context. Example: "The company's statement included a section on acknowledging wrongdoing in their past practices and outlining steps for improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Even without issuing a formal apology, government officials have begun acknowledging wrongdoing.

The New York Times

In general, such agreements result in companies acknowledging wrongdoing by not contesting criminal charges, but without formally admitting guilt.

The New York Times

But St. John's is not helping itself with the N.C.A.A. by delaying its submission until yesterday, and not acknowledging wrongdoing.

The New York Times - Sports

Like Mr. Lay, several of his associates in R&C paid to settle civil litigation without acknowledging wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Judge Rakoff has taken aim at the S.E.C.'s long standing "neither admit nor deny" policy, which allows companies to settle enforcement cases without acknowledging wrongdoing.

The New York Times

While not acknowledging wrongdoing, Chirac and his party struck a deal last year with Socialist-run Paris City Hall to pay back €2.2m for the jobs in question.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Notably, Spurr has never acknowledged wrongdoing, let alone apologised.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sticking point, the people said, was Mr. Meister's demand that the bank acknowledge wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Banks are typically loath to acknowledge wrongdoing, fearing it could expose them to shareholder lawsuits.

The New York Times

The Working Families Party did not acknowledge wrongdoing in Tuesday's settlement.

The New York Times

The company, Corfacts Inc. (also known as Metro Marketing, National Warranty Division and Warranty Warehouse.com) did not acknowledge wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "acknowledging wrongdoing", be specific about the actions that were incorrect and the reasons why they were wrong. This demonstrates genuine understanding and commitment to improvement.

Common error

Don't just vaguely "acknowledge wrongdoing" without providing specifics. This can come across as insincere and may not satisfy those seeking accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledging wrongdoing" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun. It describes the act of admitting fault or responsibility for an error or misdeed. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is often associated with legal, ethical, or professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acknowledging wrongdoing" is a phrase used to describe the act of admitting responsibility for a mistake or error. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media sources, as well as in more formal business contexts. While alternatives such as "admitting fault" or "accepting responsibility" exist, "acknowledging wrongdoing" carries a specific connotation of recognizing and owning up to errors. When using the phrase, it's important to be specific about the actions in question to demonstrate sincerity and accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admitting fault

Focuses on the act of admitting a mistake or error.

confessing guilt

Implies a stronger admission of responsibility, often in a legal or moral context.

accepting responsibility

Emphasizes taking ownership of the consequences of an action.

owning up to mistakes

An informal way of saying one is taking responsibility for their errors.

recognizing errors

Focuses on the identification of mistakes without necessarily taking blame.

taking the blame

Highlights the acceptance of culpability.

expressing remorse

Includes the element of feeling sorry or regretful for the action.

apologizing for errors

Specifically involves offering an apology for mistakes made.

making amends

Suggests an active effort to correct the wrong committed.

assuming liability

A more formal way of accepting legal or financial responsibility.

FAQs

What does "acknowledging wrongdoing" mean?

Acknowledging wrongdoing means admitting that a mistake, error, or offense has been committed. It involves accepting responsibility for the action and recognizing its negative consequences.

What are some alternatives to "acknowledging wrongdoing"?

You can use alternatives such as "admitting fault", "accepting responsibility", or "owning up to mistakes" depending on the context.

Is it better to "acknowledge wrongdoing" or deny it?

In most situations, "acknowledging wrongdoing" is preferable, as it demonstrates accountability and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Denying wrongdoing, especially when evidence suggests otherwise, can damage trust and credibility.

How is "acknowledging wrongdoing" different from apologizing?

"Acknowledging wrongdoing" is the act of recognizing and admitting a mistake. Apologizing involves expressing remorse or regret for that mistake. While related, acknowledging is about recognizing the error, while apologizing is about expressing regret.