came to acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came to acknowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process of realization or acceptance over time regarding a particular fact or situation. Example: "Over the years, she came to acknowledge the importance of mental health in her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Ilana Blum came to acknowledge the father whose death she had long refused to accept.

The New York Times

Ponting came to acknowledge that he had a problem with alcohol and history confirms that this problem was solved.

The Guardian - Sport

In an exchange of letters with the French novelist Romain Rolland, Freud came to acknowledge a more intractable source of religious sentiment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But though biologists came to acknowledge the pioneering value of Dr. Wilson's work, linguists have reached no such consensus on that of Dr. Greenberg.

The New York Times - Science

Gradually the government came to acknowledge that both deals suffered from the same inadequacy, the lack of any enforceable monitoring mechanism, Mr. Shah said.

The New York Times

The story of how Mr. Ellis came to acknowledge that he had lied to his students at Mount Holyoke College and others about his service in Vietnam began in The Globe's Living section.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"We were working so hard just to stay with the darned tape" was the closest he came to acknowledging any jitters.

The New York Times - Arts

"But the closest he ever came to acknowledging its existence was when he remarked to George Plimpton that 'once, I started a musical comedy'".

The Guardian - Books

Reich considered Freud conventional and pessimistic, and thought he didn't go far enough when it came to acknowledging the central place of sexuality in human life.

The Guardian - Books

But in a speech that was long on bravado and denial, it was about as close as Trump came to acknowledging the reality he faces.

The New Yorker

The closest Dungy came to acknowledging that the Rams might be overhyped was when he said, "They have lost three games".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to imply a change in perspective or belief, "came to acknowledge" is useful.

Common error

Avoid using "came to acknowledge" to describe a sudden realization. This phrase implies a gradual understanding or acceptance over time, not an immediate epiphany.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came to acknowledge" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of gradual realization or acceptance. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "came to acknowledge" is a verb phrase used to describe a gradual process of understanding or accepting something, often after initial resistance or denial. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, especially in news media. While there are several alternative phrases, such as ""began to realize"" or ""gradually accepted"", "came to acknowledge" implies a more deliberate shift in perspective. Be mindful of using it to indicate a gradual rather than sudden understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledged over time

It is a more verbose rephrasing of the query.

began to realize

Emphasizes the start of understanding something.

started to understand

Highlights the initial phase of comprehension.

gradually accepted

Focuses on the slow process of accepting a fact or situation.

eventually recognized

Stresses the final recognition after a period of time.

subsequently admitted

Implies an initial denial or reluctance followed by an admission.

finally conceded

Suggests a reluctant agreement or acceptance after opposition.

recognized in due course

Implies that recognition occurred at an appropriate or expected time.

grew to appreciate

Highlights the development of appreciation over time.

learned to value

Focuses on the process of learning the worth of something.

FAQs

How can I use "came to acknowledge" in a sentence?

Use "came to acknowledge" to describe a gradual realization or acceptance of something. For example, "After years of denial, she "came to acknowledge" her mistakes".

What are some alternatives to "came to acknowledge"?

Alternatives include "began to realize", "started to understand", or "gradually accepted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "came to acknowledge" or "began to acknowledge"?

"Came to acknowledge" implies a completed process of understanding, while "began to acknowledge" suggests the start of that process. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the completion or the initiation of the acknowledgment.

What's the difference between "came to acknowledge" and "came to recognize"?

While similar, "came to acknowledge" often implies accepting something that was previously denied or resisted, while "came to recognize" simply means identifying or noticing something that was previously unknown or unappreciated.