admit to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "admit to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone acknowledges or confesses to a particular action or feeling, often something negative or undesirable. Example: "After much hesitation, she decided to admit to her mistake in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

None that I'd admit to!

The Guardian - Music

Hardly any admit to thieving.

The Economist

I'll admit to a bias.

The New York Times - Books

Both admit to past failings.

The Economist

Yet few admit to it.

The New York Times

"I'll admit to that".

The New York Times

Never admit to failure.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I admit to my past.

The New York Times

He did not admit to any wrongdoing.

The New York Times - Science

We'll admit to that".

The New York Times - Sports

But they all admit to joining in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "admit to", ensure that the object of the preposition 'to' is clear. For example, "admit to the mistake" or "admit to feeling nervous".

Common error

Be careful not to drop the preposition "to" after "admit" when it's followed by a gerund or noun. "Admit" can be followed directly by a clause (e.g., "I admit that I was wrong"), but when referring to a specific action or feeling, "admit to" is necessary (e.g., "I admit to making a mistake").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admit to" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating an act of acknowledging or confessing something. It's often used when someone acknowledges a fault, mistake, or undesirable feeling. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used when someone acknowledges or confesses to a particular action or feeling, often something negative or undesirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "admit to" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express the act of acknowledging or confessing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, and maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives such as "confess to" or "acknowledge" may be used depending on the desired nuance, "admit to" remains a reliable and versatile option for conveying honesty and responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confess to

This alternative suggests a more formal or serious acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

acknowledge

This is a broader term that implies recognizing something as true or valid, not necessarily something negative.

concede

This suggests reluctantly admitting something, often in an argument or debate.

own up to

This phrase is more informal and implies taking responsibility for something.

fess up to

This is a highly informal and colloquial way of saying "admit to".

come clean about

This implies revealing the truth about something that was previously hidden.

disclose

This term is often used in formal contexts, such as legal or business settings, to indicate the revelation of information.

reveal

This suggests uncovering or making something known that was not previously apparent.

divulge

This implies sharing confidential or sensitive information.

profess

This suggests openly declaring or claiming something, often a belief or feeling.

FAQs

What is the difference between "confess to" and "admit to"?

"Admit to" generally implies acknowledging something, while "confess to" often suggests acknowledging something wrong or shameful, typically to someone in authority or with a sense of remorse.

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

You can use "admit to" to acknowledge something you've done or a feeling you have. For example: "I had to admit to my boss that I made a mistake." or "She wouldn't admit to being nervous about the presentation."

What are some alternatives to "admit to" that I can use in formal writing?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "acknowledge", "concede", or "disclose" instead of "admit to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "admit to doing something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The structure "admit to + gerund" (verb ending in -ing) is standard English. For example, "He had to admit to lying about his qualifications."