admitted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'admitted that' is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used after someone has made a confession or agreed to something, usually with the implication that it was difficult for them to do so. For example, "He admitted that he had made a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Dan admitted that was a mistake".

The New York Times - Sports

He admitted that was "good, for sure".

BBC

"I've never admitted that.

The New York Times - Sports

Lang admitted that he didn't.

The New York Times

I admitted that I was.

The New Yorker

We have readily admitted that".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Rahimi admitted that he provoked her.

The New York Times

He admitted that it bothered him.

The New York Times - Sports

I sheepishly admitted that I had.

The New York Times

They admitted that they would hate that.

The New Yorker

He admitted that he chewed oysters, too.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "admitted that" when someone acknowledges something, especially something potentially negative or embarrassing. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is admitting what.

Common error

Ensure the verb tense following "that" is appropriate for the context. For instance, if someone admitted something in the past, the verb should reflect that past action. For example, instead of "He admitted that he is wrong", use "He admitted that he was wrong".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admitted that" functions as a reporting verb followed by a subordinate clause. It introduces a statement that someone has acknowledged or confessed to, often with the implication that the information was previously withheld or potentially damaging. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "admitted that" is a versatile and frequently used phrase for reporting acknowledgments or confessions. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing examples across various contexts. It functions as a reporting verb followed by a subordinate clause, serving primarily to convey information. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using "admitted that", ensure the subsequent verb tense aligns with the context of the admission and the phrase clearly indicates the source of the admission. Alternative phrases like "acknowledged that" or "confessed that" can be used for subtle variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledged that

Replaces "admitted" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a public or official recognition.

confessed that

Implies a stronger sense of guilt or wrongdoing than "admitted that".

conceded that

Suggests reluctantly agreeing to something, often in an argument or debate.

revealed that

Indicates the disclosure of previously unknown information.

testified that

Used in legal or formal settings to indicate a statement given under oath.

declared that

Implies a formal or official announcement.

avowed that

Suggests a confident and emphatic declaration.

owned up to

An informal way of saying "admitted", often used in casual conversation.

fessed up to

A colloquial alternative implying a reluctant confession.

recognized that

Focuses on acknowledging a fact or situation rather than confessing to an action.

FAQs

How do you use "admitted that" in a sentence?

Use "admitted that" to introduce a statement someone has confessed or acknowledged, especially when it's something they might be reluctant to reveal. For example, "The suspect "admitted that" he was at the scene of the crime".

What are some alternatives to "admitted that"?

You can use alternatives like "acknowledged that", "confessed that", or "conceded that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "acknowledged that" instead of "admitted that"?

"Acknowledged that" is generally considered more formal and suitable for official or public contexts, while ""admitted that"" can be used in both formal and informal situations.

What is the difference between "admitted that" and "claimed that"?

"Admitted that" implies the truthfulness of the statement, while "claimed that" suggests the statement is being asserted without necessarily being proven or accepted as true.