belated acknowledgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "belated acknowledgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an acknowledgment that is made later than expected or after a delay. Example: "I would like to offer my belated acknowledgment of your contributions to the project, which were invaluable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

This belated acknowledgment has already improved relations between Jews and Poles.

The New York Times

So out of a long tradition of silence has come a belated acknowledgment of slavery's centrality and an attempt to explore it.

The New York Times - Arts

Like many movies about the overcoming of racism, it offers belated acknowledgment of bravery and talent and an overdue reckoning with the sins of the past.

The New York Times

The truce may represent a belated acknowledgment by the Bush administration of significant opposition in the United States to the proposed free trade area.

The New York Times

There is understood to be belated acknowledgment at senior levels within Uefa that sticking slavishly to the idea of slotting matches randomly into preselected venues is flawed.

The Guardian - Sport

A new index and guides to its sections offer a belated acknowledgment that it was not always the most accessible of publications.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Has a popular blogger who has already received belated acknowledgments from NPR and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" that they used his work without attribution had his material appropriated by another television show?

The New York Times

That belated recognition should be welcomed.

The Economist

Max Zimmer, the chief of the male acolytes and servitors brought into Cheever's life by his belated homosexual acknowledgment and by his gradually increasing debility, said at the time, "If there's someone who never loved himself, it was John".

The New Yorker

That's a belated recognition.

Forbes

Both candidates showed support for the 2nd Amendment -- though Reason's Jacob Sullum thought Obama's "acknowledgment of armed self-defense as a constitutional right" was "belated" and "halfhearted" -- but agreed that this country must curb its culture of gun violence.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "belated acknowledgment" when you want to emphasize that the recognition or acceptance of something was delayed, often due to oversight or resistance.

Common error

Don't use "belated acknowledgment" as a substitute for a direct apology. It highlights the delay in recognizing something, not necessarily remorse or regret. If you are sorry, express it directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "belated acknowledgment" functions as a noun phrase, where 'belated' modifies 'acknowledgment'. It denotes a recognition or admission that occurs later than expected or desired. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "belated acknowledgment" is a noun phrase used to describe a delayed or overdue recognition of something. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. It is useful for pointing out that an acknowledgment was not timely and may have been prompted by external pressure. While versatile, be mindful of the subtle difference with other options such as "late recognition" and direct apologies. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants highlighting the lateness of the acknowledgement as a significant factor. Keep in mind the user's intent, while making use of this phrase and remember that sources consulted by Ludwig, confirm that the user's intent is usually neutral or formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

late recognition

Focuses on the timing of the recognition, highlighting its lateness.

delayed recognition

Emphasizes the postponement or delay in providing recognition.

overdue acknowledgement

Stresses that the acknowledgement was due earlier and is now late.

tardy acknowledgement

Similar to 'late' or 'delayed', but may imply a sense of negligence.

postponed acknowledgement

Highlights the act of delaying the acknowledgement to a later time.

subsequent acknowledgement

Indicates that the acknowledgement came after a certain event or period.

eventual acknowledgement

Suggests that acknowledgement was given after a long period or struggle.

belated acceptance

Focuses on the delayed acceptance of something rather than acknowledgment.

long-awaited acknowledgement

Emphasizes the anticipation and duration before the acknowledgement.

retrospective acknowledgement

Highlights that the acknowledgement is given looking back at a past event.

FAQs

How can I use "belated acknowledgment" in a sentence?

You can use "belated acknowledgment" to indicate that someone has finally recognized or admitted something, but only after a significant delay. For instance, "The company's "belated acknowledgment" of the security breach did little to restore public trust."

What are some alternatives to "belated acknowledgment"?

Alternatives include "late recognition", "delayed recognition", or "overdue acknowledgement". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "belated acknowledgment" and "simple acknowledgment"?

"Simple acknowledgment" is a basic recognition or confirmation. "Belated acknowledgment" specifies that the recognition was delayed, implying it should have happened sooner.

Is it appropriate to use "belated acknowledgment" in formal writing?

Yes, "belated acknowledgment" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing historical events, policy changes, or organizational admissions. For example, "The government's "belated acknowledgment" of climate change led to new environmental regulations."