confessed to having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confessed to having" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone admitting to being involved in an action or to having certain feelings, beliefs, or opinions. For example: The suspect confessed to having committed the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In 1984 Hebborn confessed to having forged them and others.

The Economist

He confessed to having a crush on me.

The New Yorker

Now, though, he confessed to having second thoughts.

The New York Times

She later confessed to having murdered six Jewish children, aged 6 to 12.

The New York Times

Delevingne also for the first time confessed to having struggled with depression herself.

Independent

Eton was enlightenment itself after St. Cyprian's, and he confessed to having been "relatively happy" there.

The New Yorker

In what can only be called a plea bargain, Galileo confessed to having overstated his case.

Britannica

In April Bishop of Bruges Roger Vangheluwe confessed to having molested a minor many years previously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He both confessed to having been tempted and repudiated that temptation.

The New Yorker

Least of all Youngs, who later confessed to having "played like an idiot".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She introduced Megan Miller, Daniel Bryan's (who happens to be Brie Bella's husband) physical therapist who 'confessed' to having an affair with Bryan.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confessed to having", ensure the verb following "having" accurately reflects the action or state being admitted. For example, "He confessed to having stolen the money" is more precise than "He confessed to having a problem."

Common error

Avoid using "confessed to having" in situations where a simple statement of fact is sufficient. Overusing it can create an overly dramatic or accusatory tone where it's not needed. For instance, instead of "He confessed to having a meeting scheduled", simply state "He had a meeting scheduled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confessed to having" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating an admission of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly follows grammatical rules. The examples in Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confessed to having" is a grammatically sound and very common construction used to indicate that someone has admitted to an action or state, often with implications of guilt or wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as part of a verb phrase and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it tends towards formality. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent verb accurately represents the action being admitted and avoid overuse in contexts where a simple statement of fact would suffice. Alternatives like "admitted to having" or "acknowledged to have" may be appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledged to have

Similar in meaning, but with a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing recognition of a fact or truth.

admitted to possessing

Focuses on admitting ownership or possession, subtly shifting the emphasis from the action to the state of having.

disclosed to have

A more formal term for revealing, often used in legal or official contexts.

owned up to having

More informal, suggesting taking responsibility for an action, often one that is undesirable.

come clean about having

Suggests a full and honest disclosure, often after a period of concealment.

revealed to have

Emphasizes the act of unveiling or making something known, rather than the admission itself.

fessed up to having

A colloquial and less formal alternative, implying a slightly reluctant confession.

avowed to have

Expresses an open declaration or acknowledgement, often with strong conviction.

conceded to possessing

Implies a reluctant agreement or admission, often in the face of opposing evidence or arguments, also slightly change the emphasis from the action to the state of having.

confessed to the possession of

Changes the structure to emphasize the object or thing being possessed rather than the action itself and uses a more formal tone.

FAQs

How to use "confessed to having" in a sentence?

Use "confessed to having" when someone admits to doing something, often something wrong or secret. For example, "The thief "confessed to having" stolen the jewels".

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

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

Which is correct, "confessed to having" or "confessed to have"?

"Confessed to having" is the correct form. The present perfect construction requires the gerund form of the verb after 'to'.

What is the difference between "confessed to having" and "confessed to"?

"Confessed to having" is followed by a gerund (-ing form of a verb), indicating an action. "Confessed to" can be followed by a noun or pronoun. For example: "He confessed to the crime." and "He "confessed to having" committed the crime."