admit the reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "admit the reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is acknowledging or confessing the cause or justification for a particular action or situation. Example: "After much reflection, I have to admit the reason for my absence was my own lack of preparation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Designed to quell enthusiasm for brisker democratisation, it failed to admit the reason: that China would not allow it.

The Economist

Sophie Heawood I admit, the reason I love Leslie Knope's wardrobe has a lot more to do with Leslie Knope than with the clothes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had to admit the reason for it, which was that "The Gates" is a populist affront to the authority of art critics, and to accept being just another shuffling, jostling, helplessly chummy citizen.

The New Yorker

"Nor will the chancellor admit the reason why he is being forced to make more cuts is because his failure on growth and living standards has led to his failure to balance the books by 2015.

BBC

I was intrigued by Sybilla's outrage that the Seven Samurai of Kurosawa's film were an "elite band --I admit the reason for it escaped me.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As Hangartner admitted, the reason many clients used offshore structures was to keep their identities confidential.

The Guardian

Wright admits the reason is mostly emotional: "When I read it, I laughed and then I had a little cry.

The Guardian - Film

After I admitted the reason for the constant stream of deliveries to our house, my fiancé accompanied me, resigned and repentant, to rehab.

The New York Times - Science

Duncan Smith said: "As George Osborne has himself admitted, the reason he created the independent forecaster, the OBR, was because by 2010 the public simply did not believe the government's own economic forecasts.

The Guardian

Holmes has held meetings with Cooper and claims the minister privately admits the reason Labour builds so few council houses is because it does not want to borrow and break Brown's golden rule.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a bit beyond our comprehension under the sweltering afternoon sun, and Mark admitted the reason he was drawn to the event was Travis Walton.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "admit the reason", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being admitted and why it's significant. For instance, "He had to "admit the reason" for his failure was a lack of preparation" provides a clear and impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid using "admit the reason" when you really mean to offer an excuse. A reason explains why something happened, while an excuse attempts to justify or mitigate responsibility. For example, "admitting the reason" for being late is different from offering an excuse to avoid consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admit the reason" functions as a declarative phrase, where the speaker acknowledges and reveals the underlying cause or justification for a particular action, behavior, or situation. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "admit the reason" serves to highlight an acknowledgment of a cause or justification, often implying that the reason was previously withheld or unclear. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Its relatively rare occurrence suggests that while the construction is valid, alternative phrasings might be more common. When employing "admit the reason", it's essential to ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being admitted, differentiating it from offering a mere excuse. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase carries a neutral register and aims to provide transparency by revealing underlying motivations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledge the cause

Focuses on recognizing the cause rather than explicitly admitting it.

confess the rationale

Implies a more formal or serious admission of the reasoning behind an action.

reveal the explanation

Highlights the act of making the explanation known, without necessarily implying prior concealment.

disclose the motive

Emphasizes the unveiling of the driving force or intention behind something.

uncover the grounds

Suggests a more investigative approach to finding and revealing the basis for something.

own up to the reason

Implies taking responsibility for the reason, often when it involves a mistake or fault.

come clean about the cause

Suggests a complete and honest disclosure of the underlying cause, especially after a period of secrecy.

give the real reason

Emphasizes the authenticity and truthfulness of the reason being provided, often in contrast to a fabricated or concealed one.

lay bare the justification

Highlights the exposure and clarification of the reasons that support or defend a particular action or belief.

fess up to the motive

An informal way of admitting the underlying motive, often implying a sense of guilt or wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "admit the reason" in a sentence?

You can use "admit the reason" to introduce an explanation that someone is acknowledging, such as "She had to "admit the reason" she was late was due to traffic".

What's a formal alternative to "admit the reason"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "acknowledge the cause" or "disclose the motive" as alternatives.

Is it always necessary to use 'admit' with a negative connotation?

No, while "admit" often implies acknowledging something unfavorable, it can also be used neutrally to introduce any explanation or cause. Context is crucial.

When should I use "admit the reason" versus providing a simple explanation?

Use "admit the reason" when you want to emphasize that someone is acknowledging something, especially if it was previously hidden or unclear. A simple explanation may suffice when there's no element of acknowledgment or revelation.