admit the thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "admit the thing" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is acknowledging or confessing to a specific matter or issue. Example: "After much deliberation, I have to admit the thing that has been bothering me for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Well, you've got to admit the thing is huge.

Forbes

But if we come upon something false to admit, the thing sought will be false, too.

SEP

But, I have to admit, the thing I loved most about those movies was the suit: the armor, the mask, the cape.

Huffington Post

But I have to admit, the thing that tickled my ego the most this week was getting featured not once, but twice in the same week by the venerable Andrew Sullivan, who writes the "Daily Dish" blog at The Atlantic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's time for "nerds" to admit the things that make us "nerdy" -- social exclusion, unusual interests, atypical learning development -- don't erase the privileges we also have.

Huffington Post

In retrospect, I was rejecting the truth, the way I have in malfunctioning romantic relationships — engaging in maddening repetition instead of admitting the thing was broken.

The New York Times

Black gazes steadily across the table and admits, "The thing is, what I didn't understand at the time was how charismatic Kim Deal is.

The Guardian - Music

When asked if there's anything she still wants to do, she admits: "The thing I most dread is that I'm run over by a Volkswagen before I create a masterpiece".

The Guardian - Music

He has admitted the thing about slipping off to a pub over the road during the interval though, but is putting the blame for the show's cancellation on poor ticket sales.

Vice

If, as Francois at one point admits, the things that are done to Philida (and by extension to all slaves) are "unspeakable," then Brink should take more care when he decides to speak them out loud.

The New York Times - Books

Hari goes to Portugal, where all drug possession was decriminalised 13 years ago, and where even the police chief of the Lisbon drug squad now admits, "The things we were afraid of didn't happen".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "admit the thing" when you want to emphasize the act of acknowledging something specific that has been previously avoided or denied.

Common error

Avoid using "admit the thing" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language like "acknowledge the issue" or "concede the point" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admit the thing" functions as a declarative statement acknowledging a specific matter. Ludwig's examples show it being used to introduce a realization or confession, which aligns with its general function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "admit the thing" is grammatically correct but not very common, with usage skewed toward news and media contexts. Ludwig AI indicates it's used to acknowledge something specific, often implying a previous reluctance. While grammatically sound, more precise alternatives like "acknowledge the issue" may be better suited for formal writing. Best practice is to employ it when conveying a personal realization or acceptance of a previously unacknowledged fact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Admit the fact

Directly acknowledges a piece of information as true or valid.

Acknowledge the truth

Recognizing and accepting a given fact as correct and factual.

Acknowledge the problem

Specifically admits that a problem is real and exists.

Acknowledge the issue

Focuses on recognizing the existence or truth of a problem or subject.

Recognize the truth

Accepting a statement as true, even if reluctant to believe it initially.

Acknowledge the reality

Highlights the acceptance of a situation or circumstance as it truly is.

Recognize the matter

Focuses on the perception and acknowledgement of a particular issue or situation.

Concede the point

Implies yielding or admitting defeat on a specific argument or detail.

Concede the truth

Indicates accepting something as factual, even if previously denied or doubted.

Confess the matter

Suggests admitting something private, wrong, or damaging about a subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "admit the thing" to acknowledge something specific you've been hesitant to reveal or accept. For example, "I have to "admit the thing"; I was wrong."

What can I say instead of "admit the thing"?

You can use alternatives like "acknowledge the issue", "concede the point", or "confess the matter" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "admit the thing" or "acknowledge the thing"?

While both are grammatically correct, "acknowledge the thing" may sound more formal and neutral. "Admit the thing" can imply a prior reluctance or hesitation to accept something.

When is it appropriate to use "admit the thing"?

Use "admit the thing" when you want to express a personal acknowledgment of something previously unsaid or perhaps internally resisted. It suits situations where someone is coming to terms with a realization.