conceded

USAGE SUMMARY

'conceded' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone reluctantly admits that something is true, after being convinced by evidence or argument. For example: "The defendant conceded that he had broken the law, and accepted his punishment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I said, 'Look, I'll have a look at it.' " Brown said he may have given instructions for the minute to be changed and conceded he made alterations himself.

The Guardian

Anthony Fisher, the archbishop of Sydney, says his predecessor would return to Australia if asked, adding that Pell has conceded errors were made in the handling of child abuse cases and has apologised previously.

The Guardian

In fact, six of the previous seven goals Sweden had conceded had all come from headers.

The Guardian - Sport

Senior security officials conceded last night that it is likely no one will be brought to justice for the 7 July bombs that killed 52 people in London in 2005, despite their belief that more than 20 people were involved in the attacks.

The Guardian

Instead, Tan went for Solskjaer, whose inexperience has been all too apparent of late, with 20 goals conceded in the past seven games.

The Guardian - Sport

Chiellini had been unsettled in the game's opening exchanges, the centre-half booked for pawing the ball away from João Moutinho when grounded inside the first minute, and might have conceded a penalty when he and Vidal sandwiched Kondogbia as he barged into the area.

The Guardian - Sport

The first goal conceded at Tannadice during the Uefa Cup run was pretty much the final nail in the coffin.

The Guardian - Sport

And while Holland conceded some regret at the passing of these passions, he is pleased that most fans are not "so blinkered any more".

The Guardian - Music

With just six working days left for Congress to re-authorise a controversial expiring portion of the 2001 Patriot Act that the NSA has used since 2006 to justify the program, Senate Republican leaders have insisted the bulk domestic surveillance should be renewed in its current form but conceded they may not have the votes to do so.

The Guardian

Poland's president, Bronisław Komorowski, has conceded defeat in the country's presidential election after an exit poll shows him trailing his rival Andrzej Duda by six percentage points.

The Guardian

The first, and most fateful, chapter began in January 2013, when – unable to resist backbench pressure any longer – a mid-term prime minister who hadn't won a majority conceded a referendum on whether Britain should get out of Europe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conceded" when you want to emphasize a reluctant admission or acknowledgement of a fact, argument, or defeat. Consider the context and choose a synonym if a more neutral or forceful term is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "conceded" when simply stating agreement or confirmation. The word implies a degree of reluctance or previous opposition. Using "agreed" or "confirmed" may be more appropriate in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conceded" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "concede". It describes an action of reluctantly admitting or acknowledging something, often implying prior disagreement or resistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conceded" is a versatile verb form used to express the act of admitting something, often reluctantly. As Ludwig AI points out, it's considered grammatically correct and is frequently found in news and media contexts as well as sports reporting. While the term is appropriate for formal and neutral registers, you must note the subtle difference in meaning between "conceded", "admitted", and other similar terms to ensure precise communication. Recognizing its usage patterns and common errors will aid in effective and accurate writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admitted

Direct synonym, implying acceptance of truth or validity, often reluctantly.

acknowledged

Implies recognition of something's existence or truth, often without explicit agreement.

granted

Suggests conceding a point or fact, often in argument or discussion.

yielded

Conveys giving way to pressure or argument, implying a loss of position.

confessed

Implies admitting something wrong or embarrassing.

owned up to

Informal way of saying someone admitted to something, usually an error or fault.

acquiesced

Suggests reluctant acceptance without protest.

capitulated

Implies surrendering or giving in completely, often after resistance.

relented

Suggests softening one's stance and agreeing to something previously opposed.

succumbed

Implies giving way to a strong force or temptation.

FAQs

How is "conceded" used in a sentence?

The word "conceded" is used to show that someone has admitted something is true or valid, often reluctantly. For example, "The politician "conceded" the election after the final votes were counted."

What are some alternatives to saying "conceded"?

Instead of "conceded", you could use words like "admitted", "acknowledged", or "granted" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "conceded" and "admitted"?

"Conceded" suggests a reluctant admission, often after some debate or resistance. "Admitted" is a more general term for acknowledging something is true, without necessarily implying reluctance.

Can "conceded" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "conceded" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports, academic papers, and business documents, when accurately reflecting the reluctant admission of a point or fact.