by admitting to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by admitting to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of acknowledging or confessing to something, often in a context of wrongdoing or a mistake. Example: "He showed great courage by admitting to his mistakes during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The narrator then confesses her confusion by admitting to an "underactive thyroid".

The New Yorker

In 1998 Portillo confronts persistent rumours by admitting to gay affairs while a student.

The Guardian

UBS averted indictment by admitting to criminal wrongdoing with its private banking services and agreeing to pay $780 million.

The New York Times

Perhaps Schenkar, a playwright rather than a scholar, hopes to avert criticism by admitting to such startling research techniques.

The New York Times - Books

But the report also made clear that Iran was showing new cooperation, particularly by admitting to the new nuclear projects.

The New York Times

The chairman Kaspar Villiger sought to mollify angry shareholders by admitting to mistakes by UBS and saying "what happened should not have been allowed to happen".

Independent

In sum, that message is that by admitting to the murder of innocent civilians, Mr. bin Laden is a traitor to the Islamic faith.

The New York Times

Its writer/director Joss Whedon didn't help matters by admitting to being burnt out by the experience of completing the project, and openly criticizing Marvel's final cut.

The Guardian - Film

Cooks like these seem anxious to prove they are as normal as the rest of us - which, of course, they are not - by admitting to as worrying foibles.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, Abdaladze surprised his lawyers on Saturday by apparently admitting to the crime.

The Guardian

Still, its supporters last week said the company had scored points by not admitting to having committed a fraud.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by admitting to", ensure that the context clearly specifies what is being admitted. This strengthens the sentence's clarity and impact.

Common error

Ensure that the object of the admission is explicitly stated. Vague references can weaken the impact and clarity of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by admitting to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a method or means of achieving a particular outcome. It signifies that a certain result is obtained through the act of acknowledging or confessing something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by admitting to" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to illustrate how acknowledgement or confession serves as a means to an end. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequency and widespread use across various authoritative sources—particularly in News & Media and Academia—underscore its reliability and applicability in both formal and informal contexts. The most important thing to consider when writing a text with the expression "by admitting to" is to make sure that the context clearly specifies what is being admitted, avoiding vagueness in the text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by confessing

A shorter, more direct alternative emphasizing the act of confession.

in confessing to

Focuses on the action of confessing as the context for something else.

through confessing to

Emphasizes the act of confessing as the method or means.

via acknowledging

Highlights the acknowledgement aspect as the means of achieving something.

on acknowledging

Emphasizes the point of acknowledging as the basis for something.

through disclosing

Focuses on revealing information, often something previously hidden.

through owning up to

Emphasizes taking responsibility for something, often a mistake or wrongdoing.

by acknowledging the truth of

Highlights the act of recognizing and accepting the truth.

by avowing

Implies a formal or public declaration of something.

in conceding

Focuses on admitting defeat or acknowledging the validity of an opposing viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "by admitting to" in a sentence?

You can use "by admitting to" to indicate that someone acknowledges something, often a mistake or wrongdoing. For example, "The company improved its reputation "by admitting to" its environmental impact and pledging to reduce it".

What are some alternatives to "by admitting to"?

Alternatives include "by confessing", "by acknowledging", or "through confessing to", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it always appropriate to use "by admitting to"?

While grammatically correct, "by admitting to" is best suited for situations where acknowledgement of a fact, especially one that was previously concealed or denied, is central to the point. In neutral contexts, phrases like "by stating" or "by mentioning" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "by admitting to" and "by confessing to"?

While similar, "by confessing to" often implies a stronger sense of guilt or wrongdoing than "by admitting to". "By confessing to" is generally used for moral or legal transgressions, while ""by admitting to"" can be used for more general acknowledgements.