concede to

USAGE SUMMARY

'concede to' is a valid phrase and is often used in written English.
It means to accept or yield to a demand, point of view, or other request. For example, "The Prime Minister had to concede to the demands of the protesters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A president cannot concede to everything.

The New York Times

Sometimes Freud had to concede to reality.

The Guardian - Books

They were demanding that the government concede to 15 demands.

The Economist

(Bird may not be ready to concede to Curry, either.

The New Yorker

What a goal to concede, to lose this match.

The Guardian - Sport

In that, the board may concede to some things.

The Guardian

The majority Sunni Arabs are unlikely to concede to demands for regional autonomy.

The Economist

It was important not to concede to the darkness that you were afraid.

The New Yorker

At Camp David he was willing to concede to many of the Palestinian demands in Jerusalem.

The Economist

Iran's shattered economy and simmering discontent may have caused Khamenei to concede to Rouhani's election.

The New York Times

My soft head is not ready to concede to the software.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concede to", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being yielded or agreed upon. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "concede to" when a more forceful term like "capitulate" or "surrender" is appropriate. "Concede to" implies a degree of willingness or negotiation, whereas stronger terms suggest complete defeat or coercion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concede to" functions as a phrasal verb, typically followed by a noun or pronoun indicating what is being yielded. It indicates the act of admitting defeat or surrendering to a demand, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Huffington Post

3%

Los Angeles Times

1%

SEP

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concede to" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to yield or admit defeat in the face of a demand or argument. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "agree to" or "yield to" exist, "concede to" carries a specific connotation of initial resistance followed by acceptance. When using the phrase, clarity is key, and it should be distinguished from stronger terms like "capitulate" to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree to

Expresses a general acceptance or consent to something, differing from "concede to" which implies an initial resistance.

give in to

Highlights the act of surrendering or stopping resistance, often implying a prior struggle, which is a more emotional framing than "concede to".

yield to

Suggests a more forceful surrender or submission, often implying pressure or a lack of choice, unlike the more negotiable implication of "concede to".

cave in to

Expresses a collapse of resistance under pressure, often implying weakness or a lack of resolve, in contrast to the more strategic yielding implied by "concede to".

acquiesce to

Implies a passive agreement or silent acceptance, often without enthusiasm, whereas "concede to" suggests a more active yielding after some consideration.

defer to

Indicates yielding to someone else's judgment or expertise, emphasizing respect or lack of confidence in one's own opinion, differing from the negotiation implied by "concede to".

submit to

Indicates a forced or unwilling compliance, highlighting the power dynamic more strongly than "concede to".

bow to

Suggests a deferential submission, often to authority or tradition, which is more formal than the general acceptance implied by "concede to".

capitulate to

Implies a complete and unconditional surrender, often in a conflict or negotiation, which is stronger and more decisive than "concede to".

surrender to

Suggests complete abandonment of resistance and is often used in contexts of overwhelming force or inevitability, whereas "concede to" can imply a negotiated agreement.

FAQs

How is "concede to" used in a sentence?

The phrase "concede to" means to admit defeat or yield to a demand or argument. For example, "The government had to "concede to" the protesters' demands after weeks of demonstrations."

What are some alternatives to "concede to"?

Alternatives to "concede to" include "agree to", "yield to", or "acquiesce to", depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance of agreement or submission.

When is it appropriate to use "concede to" versus "agree with"?

"Concede to" implies yielding to something after initial resistance or disagreement, while "agree with" simply means sharing the same opinion from the outset. Use "concede to" when there's a sense of giving in, and "agree with" when there's initial alignment.

What's the difference between "concede to" and "surrender to"?

"Concede to" suggests a negotiated agreement or a yielding on specific points, whereas "surrender to" implies a complete and often forced submission. The former has a more voluntary connotation than the latter.