admit fault

USAGE SUMMARY

"admit fault" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to acknowledge or accept responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: The CEO of the company decided to admit fault for the financial crisis and promised to take necessary steps to rectify the situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prevezon did not admit fault.

The New York Times

Connecticut is slow to admit fault.

The New York Times

Toyota paid the fine Tuesday, but did not admit fault.

The New York Times

But she couldn't admit fault — even to herself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Trump did not admit fault in the settlement.

The Washington Post

Toyota said April 19 that it would pay the fine, but it did not admit fault.

The New York Times

I don't always succeed; when I fail, I try to admit fault and forgive myself.

University of California, Berkeley

The applicant had to admit fault (possibly with an excuse/justification like self-defense).

Cornell University

There are few people in football so ready to admit fault as him.

The Guardian - Sport

Being direct is a signal that you are confident enough to admit fault.

Harvard Business Review

Trump did not, however, admit fault regarding the claims that customers were cheated.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "admit fault", be specific about the error and the steps you're taking to correct it. This shows sincerity and accountability.

Common error

Avoid simply saying "I admit fault" without explaining what you did wrong. Provide context and details to demonstrate genuine understanding and remorse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admit fault" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "admit" is the verb and "fault" is the noun functioning as the object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "admit fault" is a common and grammatically sound way to express acknowledgment and acceptance of responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also sees use in academic and formal business contexts. When using "admit fault", ensure you provide specific details about the error and express a willingness to rectify the situation. Alternatives include "accept blame" and "acknowledge error", each carrying slight nuances in meaning. By using this phrase thoughtfully, you demonstrate sincerity and accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accept blame

Focuses on taking responsibility for something negative.

acknowledge error

Highlights recognizing a mistake or inaccuracy.

confess wrongdoing

Emphasizes admitting to an act that is morally or legally wrong.

own up to mistake

Suggests taking ownership of an error.

take responsibility

Focuses on accepting accountability for an action or outcome.

fess up

An informal way of saying to confess.

come clean

Suggests revealing the truth about something, often something negative.

plead guilty

A legal term for formally admitting guilt in court.

express remorse

Focuses on showing regret or sorrow for an action.

apologize for error

Directly conveys regret and a desire to make amends.

FAQs

How can I use "admit fault" in a sentence?

You can use "admit fault" to acknowledge responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. For example, "The company decided to "admit fault" for the data breach and compensate affected customers."

What's the difference between "admit fault" and "accept blame"?

"Admit fault" implies acknowledging a specific mistake or error, while "accept blame" focuses on taking responsibility for a negative outcome, regardless of whether a specific error is identified.

What are some alternatives to using "admit fault"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "acknowledge error", "take responsibility", or "confess wrongdoing".

In what situations is it appropriate to "admit fault"?

It's appropriate to ""admit fault"" when you have made a mistake, caused harm, or failed to meet expectations. It is crucial in building trust and resolving conflicts.