admit something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "admit something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone acknowledges or confesses to a fact or action, often implying that it may be difficult or uncomfortable to do so. Example: "After much hesitation, she decided to admit something that had been weighing on her conscience for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have to admit something.

The New York Times

"They don't want to admit something different".

The New York Times - Science

"I have to admit something," he said.

The New York Times

They're trying to get you to admit something.

The Guardian - Music

You say this as if you need me to admit something.

The New Yorker

Nor can he admit something still more important: it never will.

Independent

"Ma'am, you want me to admit something that didn't happen," the officer said at one point.

The New York Times

It was just a shot in the dark, to see if I'd admit something".

The New Yorker

However, they admit something is wrong and detail a service man to sit and watch the machinery throughout a day.

The New Yorker

Even so, I have to admit something makes me uneasy about survival television.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Minutes earlier, Mr. Bush had said, "I have to admit something.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "admit something" when you want to convey a sense of reluctance or difficulty in acknowledging a particular fact or truth. It often implies that the speaker is overcoming some internal resistance to make the admission.

Common error

While "admit something" is generally acceptable, be mindful of overusing it in formal or professional writing. In such contexts, consider using alternatives like "acknowledge something" or "concede something" to maintain a more objective and less emotionally charged tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admit something" functions as a verb phrase where "admit" is the verb indicating acknowledgment or confession, and "something" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "admit something" is a versatile expression used to convey the act of acknowledging a fact, often with a hint of reluctance or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, from news articles to personal blogs. While generally neutral in register, choosing more formal alternatives like "acknowledge something" or "concede something" may be preferable in certain professional settings. The phrase's frequency and authoritative sources highlight its established place in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Confess something

Emphasizes guilt or wrongdoing more strongly than "admit something".

Acknowledge something

More formal and implies recognition of a fact or situation.

Concede something

Suggests reluctance in admitting something, often in an argument or debate.

Disclose something

Implies revealing something previously hidden or private.

Reveal something

Similar to 'disclose', but can also imply uncovering something unexpected.

Divulge something

Suggests revealing confidential or sensitive information.

Own up to something

More informal and implies taking responsibility for something.

Come clean about something

Informal, suggests confessing after a period of concealment.

Let on about something

Informal, suggests revealing something unintentionally.

Brought oneself to admit something

More literary. It focuses on the subject's internal struggle to confess to something.

FAQs

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

You can use "admit something" when you want to express that someone is acknowledging a fact, often reluctantly. For example, "I have to "admit something", I was wrong."

What are some alternatives to "admit something"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "confess something", "acknowledge something", or "concede something".

Is it better to say "admit something" or "confess something"?

While both phrases involve acknowledging something, "confess something" often implies admitting to a wrongdoing or fault, whereas "admit something" can be used more broadly for acknowledging any fact, not necessarily a mistake.

What's the difference between "admit something" and "acknowledge something"?

"Acknowledge something" is generally more formal and implies a recognition of a fact or situation, whereas "admit something" suggests a more personal or reluctant acceptance of something that may be unfavorable.