complicated to admit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicated to admit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to acknowledge or confess, often due to its complexity or emotional weight. Example: "It's complicated to admit, but I have been struggling with my feelings for a long time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What I do remember is that they relayed the intimate thoughts of a man, one suffering from an unkind or shameful emotion, such as fear or jealousy or cowardice, feelings that are complicated to admit to, particularly for a man.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some have complained that it is "extremely complicated to do business with", admits Mr Gorman.

The Economist

Foristall, who only arrived at the facility in February - two weeks before the last inspection - is not a fan of the star system either and admits it's complicated to interpret.

Huffington Post

It's complicated to explain.

The Guardian - Sport

The spatial component makes these variables complicated, and we are forced to admit uncertainty about their distribution between wells.

Environmental Systems Research

It was my experience and is probably more prevalent in contemporary American society than most would care to admit, further complicating the arrangements and choices that need to be made at the end of life in this era when life can be easily, but not always wisely, extended far beyond its meaningful limit.

The New Yorker

However, any intellectually honest writer has to admit that public opinion complicates widespread criticism of President Obama's national security strategy.

TechCrunch

How the nation became ready for that debate, and why groundbreaking civil rights laws and court decisions happened when they did--essentially between 1954 and 1968--is 1968--is 1968--isstion, admitting to no singular answer.

Huffington Post

It's complicated, but I do think it's generational, because I believe that we inherit more than we'd like to admit from our elders.

Huffington Post

You have to admit.

The New York Times

Hate to admit it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complicated to admit", consider the emotional tone you wish to convey. It implies a degree of difficulty or reluctance beyond a simple admission. Ensure that the context warrants this added nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "complicated to admit" when a simpler phrase like "I admit" or "It's true" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicated to admit" functions as a discourse marker indicating a forthcoming statement that the speaker anticipates will be difficult or complex to acknowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complicated to admit" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signals an upcoming admission is not straightforward, but fraught with difficulty, complexity, or reluctance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It finds frequent use in news, science, and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Alternatives like "difficult to acknowledge" or "hard to confess" offer similar meanings, albeit with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, consider the emotional tone and avoid overuse in simple situations to maintain sincerity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to acknowledge

Replaces "complicated" with "difficult", emphasizing the challenge in accepting something.

not easy to acknowledge

Directly states the lack of ease in recognizing or admitting something.

hard to confess

Focuses on the act of admitting as a confession, highlighting the potential shame or guilt involved.

challenging to concede

Emphasizes the act of yielding or admitting defeat in an argument or situation.

tough to own up to

Focuses on taking responsibility for something that is difficult to admit.

reluctant to concede

Highlights the unwillingness or hesitation in admitting something, often due to disagreement or pride.

awkward to acknowledge

Highlights the uncomfortable nature of admitting something.

unwilling to accept

Emphasizes a resistance to believing or admitting something.

demanding to recognize

Focuses on the effort required to see or admit something.

onerous to accept

Emphasizes the burden or difficulty in accepting something.

FAQs

How can I use "complicated to admit" in a sentence?

You can use "complicated to admit" when you want to express that something is difficult to acknowledge or confess, often due to its complexity or emotional weight. For example, "It's complicated to admit, but I have been struggling with my feelings for a long time".

What can I say instead of "complicated to admit"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to acknowledge", "hard to confess", or "challenging to concede" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "complicated to admit" or "difficult to admit"?

Both "complicated to admit" and "difficult to admit" are correct, but "complicated" implies a greater level of complexity or entanglement than simply "difficult". Choose the word that best reflects the nature of what you're admitting.

When is it appropriate to use "complicated to admit"?

It's appropriate to use "complicated to admit" when the admission involves not just a simple fact, but also a complex situation, emotional baggage, or potential consequences. It suggests that the act of admitting is laden with more than just a straightforward acknowledgment.