confessed to being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confessed to being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone admits to a particular state or condition, often in a context of personal acknowledgment or revelation. Example: "He confessed to being overwhelmed by the pressure of his job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They confessed to being revolutionaries.

The New York Times

They usually confessed to being spies.

The New Yorker

He confessed to being a fighter.

The New York Times

He confessed to being a basketball fan.

The New York Times

She guiltily confessed to being a Democrat.

The Guardian

According to Hughes, she confessed to being a tout.

The New Yorker

He has confessed to being a premature ejaculator.

The New York Times

Mr. Liman, the director, meanwhile, confessed to being nervous.

The New York Times - Science

Others confessed to being first-time hockey fans.

The Guardian - Sport

I confessed to being, suddenly, a little confused.

The New York Times - Arts

Jarvis confessed to being disappointed but still hopeful.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confessed to being", ensure the context implies a genuine admission, often regarding something previously hidden or potentially negative. For example, "He confessed to being nervous before the presentation."

Common error

Avoid using "confessed to being" when a simple statement of fact or identity is sufficient. Instead of "He confessed to being a doctor", use "He stated that he was a doctor" or "He is a doctor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confessed to being" functions as a verb phrase indicating an admission or avowal of a particular state or characteristic. It implies a personal acknowledgment, often of something previously concealed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confessed to being" is a grammatically sound phrase widely used to denote an admission or acknowledgment of a particular state or identity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure it implies a genuine admission, often regarding something previously hidden. Alternatives such as "admitted to being" or "acknowledged being" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admitted to being

Direct synonym; replaces "confessed" with "admitted", implying a less formal admission.

acknowledged being

Replaces "confessed" with "acknowledged", suggesting a more formal recognition or acceptance.

owned up to being

Replaces "confessed" with "owned up to", indicating taking responsibility for something.

professed to be

Changes the structure and verb, but conveys a similar meaning of claiming to be something.

revealed himself to be

More descriptive, indicating that the person unveiled or made known their true identity.

disclosed being

A more formal alternative where "disclosed" replaces "confessed", suggesting the revealing of information.

came clean about being

An idiomatic alternative to confessing, implying a full and honest revelation.

unveiled as

Focuses on the revelation aspect, emphasizing the moment of unveiling someone's true identity or status.

avowed to be

Uses "avowed" to suggest a more formal and declared admission.

declared to be

Replaces "confessed" with "declared", implying a formal or official statement.

FAQs

What does "confessed to being" mean?

The phrase "confessed to being" implies admitting or acknowledging a particular state, identity, or characteristic, often one that was previously hidden or considered negative. It suggests a personal revelation or admission.

How can I use "confessed to being" in a sentence?

Use "confessed to being" when someone admits to something previously unacknowledged. For example, "She "confessed to being" a fan of the band, despite initially denying it."

What can I say instead of "confessed to being"?

You can use alternatives like "admitted to being", "acknowledged being", or "owned up to being" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to use "confessed to being"?

While "confessed to being" often implies admitting something previously hidden or potentially negative, it isn't always negative. It can simply denote a revelation of something previously unknown or unacknowledged, even if it's a neutral fact. For example, "He "confessed to being" nervous, despite his confident demeanor."