concede

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "concede" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "concede" when you want to express agreement with a statement, or to acknowledge something that has been said, or to admit defeat or failure. Example sentence: After hearing all of the evidence, the jury conceded that the defendant was guilty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I will be the first to concede that Dreiser does not now look anything like their equal.

The Guardian - Books

Pringle said that left the UK government fighting to protect a principle that Salmond's team was already ready to concede: "They made their one red line the binary referendum so in that sense they did kind of … they played into our hands in terms of making a presentation like that".

The Guardian

M'Bolhi tips the ball over the bar to concede the corner.

The Guardian - Sport

In the end I have to concede that Lynton Crosby and the young Republicans who came to help David Cameron's campaign know more about what makes Britain tick than I do.

The Guardian - Opinion

Townsend was tormenting Basanta down the right but, in the end, it was the Fiorentina defender who had the last laugh, equalising nine minutes before half-time with a goal that, from Tottenham's perspective, was a hugely soft one to concede.

The Guardian - Sport

Though they then tend to concede they're not entirely clear what that agenda is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Crisco was preparing on Monday to concede the race, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.

The Guardian

Westfield emptied a plastic bag of rolled-up £50 notes on to his bed, and said Kaneria had told him a "friend" would pay him to concede a certain number of runs.

The Guardian - Sport

They have also learned the obvious lessons of 2007-08, when Gordon Brown's initial reluctance to concede things were as bad as they turned out proved a tactical mistake.

The Guardian - Opinion

For example, the defence may concede a case when prosecutors present a DNA fingerprint that links the defendant to a crime, negating the need for further tests.

The Guardian

Thus enlightened, I return to the shelves to discover that, among the plethora of recipes for coq au vin, a handful concede they can also be made with riesling "along the same lines" – somewhat surprisingly, given that rich, dark coq au vin and tangy, creamy coq au riesling seem two very different spins on the same basic ingredients to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concede", ensure the context is clear whether you are acknowledging a point, admitting defeat, or granting a right. The nuance affects the overall message.

Common error

Don't use "concede" as a synonym for "suggest" or "imply". "Concede" involves acknowledging something true or valid, while "suggest" and "imply" involve hinting at something without explicitly stating it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "concede" is as a verb. It indicates the act of yielding, admitting, or granting something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts, from sports to politics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Opinion

5%

Film

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "concede" is a versatile term used to acknowledge, admit, or grant something. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in "News & Media", "Sport", and "Formal & Business" contexts. While "concede" is appropriate for formal writing, it's essential to differentiate its nuanced meaning from similar words like "suggest" or "imply". Effective communication with "concede" involves recognizing the specific context and using it accurately to convey the intended message of acknowledgment or yielding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledge

Focuses on recognizing the truth or existence of something, often reluctantly.

admit

Implies acknowledging something, typically a fault or wrongdoing.

grant

Suggests formally giving or allowing something.

yield

Indicates giving way or surrendering to pressure or authority.

cede

Implies formally surrendering possession or control of something.

relinquish

Suggests voluntarily giving up a claim or right.

confess

Involves admitting to something, often something shameful or private.

acquiesce

Implies accepting something without protest, often unwillingly.

capitulate

Suggests surrendering completely after resistance.

back down

Means to withdraw from a position or argument.

FAQs

How do I use "concede" in a sentence?

"Concede" can be used to show that you acknowledge a point, admit defeat, or grant something. For instance, "I "concede" that you are right", or "He had to "concede" the election".

What can I say instead of "concede"?

You can use alternatives like "acknowledge", "admit", or "grant", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What is the difference between "concede" and "admit"?

"Concede" often implies acknowledging something reluctantly or after resistance, while "admit" simply means to acknowledge something, often a fault or mistake.

Is it appropriate to use "concede" in formal writing?

Yes, "concede" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts where you need to acknowledge a point or grant something in a reasoned and considered manner.