admittedly

USAGE SUMMARY

"admittedly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce a statement that acknowledges a flaw or difficulty in a situation. For example, "Admittedly, this project has been difficult, but we are almost finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here's what we've learned, from what is admittedly a very small sample of the entire Academy.

The Guardian - Film

And while the NSFW warning might often have served as pragmatic advice (behind which, admittedly, were ethical norms about workplace behaviour), the later injunctions not to click have a moral force that – just possibly – suggests something counterintuitive: the spread of ethical compunction across the basest, most sexually commodifying and amoral of all human inventions, the internet.

The Guardian

Admittedly, my love of dinosaurs is a little more intense than is typical.

The Guardian - Opinion

It would be a first at the Oscars, admittedly, but it's the only way to do justice to this most complex of issues.

The Guardian - Film

Admittedly, I see some room for manoeuvre between social classes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which, of course, puts more pressure on parents to help their kids create firm foundations – and admittedly you can't always prevent your kids making mistakes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which was bizarre to witness, admittedly, but still preferable to Kay Burley.

The Guardian

It's an entertaining film, in which Peston breaks out his impressive French, gleaned during a year off in Normandy and an admittedly pretentious teenage period watching nouvelle vague films ("When I was a kid I was very, very, very angry with my parents for not being French"), and whizzes through idyllic countryside in a 1960s Citroën DS – simply because he could, one suspects.

The Guardian

The leaders' reputations are converging – except Sturgeon Tracked over time, the leaders' reputations now cluster together, representing a significant drop for Farage – much less popular than his party – a small drop for Cameron, effective but uninspiring, and a small rise for Miliband, who surprised panelists (admittedly from a low bar).

The Guardian

Related: The cost of caring – why I had to leave the charity sector Admittedly, though, I have pledged allegiance to the loyalty cult more often than not, and I find myself not even wanting to be critical in case I hurt the founder's feelings or fall out of favour.

The Guardian

Admittedly, on other occasions, I feel profound regret that I am not a professional cricketer, a veterinary physician (prescribing tablets but never operating) or a scaffolder who is, as a result of my trade, absolved from all parking restrictions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "admittedly" to introduce a counterargument or a point that weakens your main claim, then follow up with a stronger argument to mitigate the concession. This shows balance and strengthens your overall stance.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "admittedly" as it can make your writing sound repetitive and hesitant. Vary your sentence structure by using other adverbs or transitional phrases.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "admittedly" functions as a sentence adverb, modifying the entire clause by introducing a concession or acknowledgment. It signals that the speaker or writer is aware of a potential weakness or counterargument, similar to examples found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Admittedly" is a versatile adverb used to acknowledge a point or concede something, often before presenting a counterargument or balancing statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. With high source quality across numerous examples, primarily from News & Media, it conveys neutrality leaning towards formality. When using "admittedly", consider alternatives like "concededly" or "avowedly" to diversify your writing. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact. This adverb is valuable for demonstrating balanced perspectives and objective reasoning in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concededly

Similar in meaning, but less frequently used and slightly more formal.

it must be admitted

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the same concession.

it is true

Acknowledges a fact but may imply further considerations or qualifications.

avowedly

Implies an open and declared admission, often of a belief or characteristic.

undoubtedly

Conveys a stronger sense of certainty, minimizing the conceded point.

indisputably

Highlights the lack of room for argument, making the admission forceful.

to be fair

Similar to "in fairness", offering a balanced perspective or justification.

without question

Emphasizes the certainty of the conceded point, leaving little room for doubt.

in fairness

Introduces a balancing point, often to mitigate criticism.

to give credit where it's due

Highlights the positive aspects that deserve recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "admittedly" in a sentence?

You can use "admittedly" to concede a point that might weaken your argument before reinforcing your main claim. For example, "Admittedly, the data is limited, but the trend suggests a significant correlation."

What are some alternatives to "admittedly"?

You can use alternatives like "concededly", "avowedly", or "it must be admitted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "admittedly"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "admittedly". It functions as an adverbial phrase, setting the tone for the rest of the sentence.

What's the difference between "admittedly" and "undoubtedly"?

"Admittedly" acknowledges a potentially negative aspect or concession, whereas "undoubtedly" affirms something with strong certainty, minimizing any concession.