admitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "admitted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about someone admitting that something is true or accepting blame for something. For example: "The suspect finally admitted that he had committed the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The original misattributed words spoken by Laurie Brown to Phillip Costa and mistakenly said Costa said he may have given instructions for the cabinet minute to be changed and admitted making alterations.

The Guardian

She also admitted the extent of her ruthlessness.

The Guardian

Dressed in a black lace Armani Prive gown which had fashion writers salivating, Blanchett admitted to having "downed a few vodkas" while waiting to hear if she had won her third Golden Globe.

The Guardian - Film

He admitted that when the virus first struck "there was probably a lack of knowledge and there was a certain degree of arrogance", but he said he believed lessons were being learned.

The Guardian

The Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, has admitted that this week's wave of arrests and corruption allegations have "unleashed a storm" but improbably called for "unity and team spirit" as he appealed for a fifth term of office.

The Guardian - Sport

This is the first time the government has admitted the boat's existence after both Morrison and the Australian prime minister repeatedly refused to comment on its whereabouts, citing national security interests under Australia's hardline military-led border regime.

The Guardian

But two months after the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, when most of those injured and bereaved by the disaster are still waiting for compensation – though Primark, unlike other retailers who have admitted to a presence in the factory, has contributed to the compensation fund – the secret message hidden inside a piece of women's clothing is a startling image.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is also deep concern that more than four years after Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup, the country's minister of labour has admitted that there is no set timetable to introduce even the modest reforms it promised in May 2014.

The Guardian

He admitted that the presence of hen harriers was a threat to the profitability of the grouse shoots.

The Guardian

On Thursday, Zimbabwe's state election commission admitted that nearly 305,000 people were turned away from voting and another 207,000 were "assisted voters" –" supposedly illiterate or infirm" – who needed help from polling officials to cast ballots.

The Guardian

"It is a big challenge for us, but that is why you play ball," said Heaslip, who after returning from Australia admitted he had been "pissed off" with the Lions [and Wales] head coach, Warren Gatland.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "admitted" when you want to convey that someone has acknowledged something, often reluctantly or after initial denial. It implies a degree of truth or acceptance of responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "admitted" simply as a substitute for "said" or "stated". "Admitted" carries a connotation of acknowledging something that was previously concealed or denied. If there's no element of prior concealment or reluctance, a more neutral verb like "said" or "mentioned" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "admitted" is as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of the verb "admit". It signifies the act of acknowledging or confessing something, often reluctantly. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "admitted" functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "admit", signifying acknowledgment or confession, often with a sense of reluctance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the word carries a neutral tone. Related phrases include "acknowledged", "confessed", and "conceded", each with slightly different nuances. When writing, remember that "admitted" implies a previous concealment or denial, so avoid using it as a simple substitute for "said". Understanding these nuances will help you use the word "admitted" effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledged

A more formal synonym emphasizing recognition of truth or existence.

confessed

Implies admitting to something wrong or shameful.

conceded

Suggests reluctantly admitting something, often in an argument or competition.

owned up to

An informal way of saying someone took responsibility for something.

fessed up

An informal and colloquial way to say confessed.

professed

Declares openly, sometimes implying doubt about sincerity.

revealed

Implies making something known that was previously secret.

disclosed

Similar to revealed, but often used in formal contexts.

avowed

A formal term for declaring something with confidence.

recognized

Acknowledges the validity or existence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "admitted" in a sentence?

You can use "admitted" to show someone acknowledged something, especially reluctantly. For example, "The suspect "admitted to the crime" after hours of questioning."

What can I say instead of "admitted"?

Alternatives include "acknowledged", "confessed", or "conceded", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "admitted to do" or "admitted doing"?

"Admitted doing" is the correct form. The verb "admit" is followed by a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun). For example, "He "admitted making a mistake"."

What's the difference between "admitted" and "confessed"?

While both words involve acknowledging something, "confessed" typically implies admitting to something wrong or shameful, whereas "admitted" can be used in a broader sense to acknowledge any fact or truth. For example, "He "confessed to the theft"" suggests guilt, while "He "admitted that he was wrong"" simply acknowledges an error.