admit to being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "admit to being" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to say that someone has been honest about their feelings, opinions, or behavior. For example: "My brother finally admitted to being embarrassed by his mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

People can admit to being optimistic.

The New Yorker

I will admit to being star-struck.

The New Yorker

And I will admit to being hooked.

The New York Times

I admit to being confused.

The Guardian - Film

Prices vary.I must admit to being intrigued.

The Economist

Many admit to being unsure and frustrated.

Harvard Business Review

I admit to being a romantic.

The New York Times - Travel

I also admit to being a cynic.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He admitted to being scared.

The New York Times

"He never admitted to being involved.

The New York Times

— Rick Ruzzamenti admits to being a tad impulsive.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "admit to being" when you want to emphasize honesty or acknowledgment, especially when the information being admitted is somewhat unfavorable or unexpected. For example, instead of saying someone 'is confused', you might say they "admit to being confused" to highlight their candor.

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy. Avoid phrases like "openly admit to being", as "admitting" inherently implies openness. Instead, focus on the specific aspect you want to highlight, such as the difficulty or consequence of the admission.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admit to being" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating the act of acknowledging or confessing to a particular state or characteristic. As Ludwig shows, this construction is commonly used to convey honesty or acknowledgment, often regarding something previously unstated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "admit to being" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate acknowledging or confessing to a certain state, quality, or action. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples across various sources like news media and general writing. While versatile, it's best employed when you want to emphasize the act of acknowledgment itself and can be replaced by alternatives like "confess to being" or "acknowledge being" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Be mindful of potential redundancy and overuse to maintain a clear and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confess to being

Synonymous, but carries a stronger connotation of guilt or wrongdoing.

acknowledge being

More formal and neutral; suggests recognition of a fact without necessarily implying fault.

concede to being

Implies reluctance in admitting something, often in the face of opposing evidence.

own up to being

Informal, emphasizes taking responsibility for an action or attribute.

avow to being

A more formal alternative that means to declare something openly or assert something.

profess to being

To declare openly, but sometimes implying doubt about the sincerity of the declaration.

declare oneself to be

Formal and emphatic, often used in official or legal contexts.

reveal oneself to be

Highlights the act of making something known that was previously hidden.

disclose being

Emphasizes revealing information that was previously private or confidential.

grant being

Acknowledge or concede (something) to (someone).

FAQs

What does "admit to being" mean?

The phrase "admit to being" means to acknowledge or confess to a particular state, quality, or action. It implies honesty or revelation about something that might not be immediately apparent or previously known.

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

You can use "admit to being" to describe someone acknowledging a feeling, trait, or involvement in something. For example: "He "admitted to being nervous" before the presentation", or "She "admitted to being wrong" about the decision".

What are some alternatives to "admit to being"?

Some alternatives include "confess to being", "acknowledge being", or "concede to being". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "admit to being"?

While grammatically correct, using "admit to being" might be stylistically awkward in some contexts. Overusing it, especially when simpler verbs like "is" or "feels" would suffice, can make your writing sound stilted. Choose it when you want to highlight the act of acknowledgement itself.