confess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone admits to a wrongdoing, secret, or truth that they have previously kept hidden. Example: "After much contemplation, she decided to confess her feelings to him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Business

Film

Books

Sport

TV & Radio

Travel

Lifestyle

Arts

Money

World

Society

US News

Politics

Environment

Media Network

Democracy in America

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(I confess I felt a lot like John Waters in the 1980s, when he attended – for research purposes, and alone – a Saturday-morning screening of The Care Bears Movie during the notorious McMartin pre-school devil-worship and child-abuse trial).

The Guardian - Film

I have to confess: I was suckered by the trailer for American Sniper.

The Guardian - Opinion

I confess that some of our closely argued analysis has not stood the test of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

8.52am: I must confess this is the first time that I've been eagerly awaiting the results of a Dutch debt auction since the eurozone crisis began.

The Guardian - Business

This morning, Tony Blair's biographer wrote that Iraq is Britain's Watergate and that a day of testimony before the Chilcot inquiry gave the former prime minister a chance to do what Richard Nixon had finally, and reluctantly, done – and confess regret for the actions he had taken.

The Guardian - Opinion

Best, Joe Dear Joe, I confess I had no idea who you were when your letter first arrived, but having looked you up, I discover that though you are a lesser Jew than me – la chose juive c'est aussi importante que la chose génitale (as Charcot would say – there might be some $$$$ in my extravagantly parenthesised bons mots reaching a wider audience).

The Guardian - Books

The torture was aimed at getting him to confess he belonged to the CIA and he "confessed to stop the pain".

The Guardian

I confess I wasn't entirely familiar with that version.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Threats of being subject to the death penalty if suspects did not confess.

The Guardian

But I must confess that I haven't.

The Guardian

It is an admission that to some, would seem shocking: that a father would admit to beating a one-year-old, and confess without shame that the discipline would be harsh.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confess" when you want to emphasize a personal admission, often related to wrongdoing or a closely held secret. It adds a tone of sincerity and vulnerability.

Common error

While "confess" is suitable for personal narratives or informal contexts, avoid overusing it in formal academic or business writing where more neutral terms like "acknowledge" or "admit" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "confess" is as a verb. It's used to describe the act of admitting something, often a wrongdoing or a secret. Ludwig examples show it in various sentence structures, indicating its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Opinion

10%

Business

3%

Less common in

Film

2%

Books

2%

Sport

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confess" is a verb used to admit or reveal something, often with a sense of guilt or personal admission. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, highlighting its frequent appearance in News & Media sources. While its register is generally neutral, it leans towards informal, making it suitable for various contexts but potentially less ideal for highly formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "admit" or "acknowledge" in more formal settings. When aiming for a sincere or vulnerable tone, "confess" remains a powerful and appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Admit

A general term for acknowledging something is true, often implying reluctance.

Acknowledge

Similar to admit, but often implies a more formal or public admission.

Concede

Admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it.

Avow

To declare or assert something openly and without shame.

Profess

To declare openly, but can also imply insincerity.

Disclose

To reveal information, often of a confidential nature.

Reveal

Make something known to others that was previously secret.

Divulge

To make known (private or sensitive information).

Come clean

To tell the truth about something that one has kept secret.

Own up to

Admit responsibility for something.

FAQs

How can I use "confess" in a sentence?

You can use "confess" to admit to a wrongdoing or to reveal a secret, as in "I "confess", I ate the last piece of cake" or "I must "confess", I've never seen that movie".

What are some alternatives to "confess"?

Alternatives to "confess" include "admit", "acknowledge", or "reveal", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

While "confess" is acceptable, it's often more appropriate to use alternatives like "acknowledge" or "admit" in formal or academic writing to maintain a neutral tone.

What's the difference between "confess" and "admit"?

"Confess" often implies a stronger sense of guilt or wrongdoing, while "admit" is a more general term for acknowledging something is true, regardless of the emotional weight.