confesses to doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confesses to doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone admits to having done something, often in a context involving wrongdoing or guilt. Example: "The suspect confesses to doing the crime during the police interrogation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mark, his son and a congressman from Colorado running in one of the most exciting Senate races this year, confesses to doing the same thing.

The Economist

"A man confesses to doing this murder with Rodriguez, yet those two men remain unprosecuted," said Mr. Cohen, who investigated Mr. Rodriguez's gang.

The New York Times

Rather, people hate landlords because of the very things that Mr. Stratton casually confesses to doing: "peering in apartment windows for cats"; moving an old lady's belongings into the basement because of what a former landlord says about her; and refusing to rent to tenants who complain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She would like work with Lars von Trier and Darren Aronofsky and, she confesses, to do "a mystical horror film!

The New York Times

Erickson recruited more than 100 adults who confessed to doing little if any exercise in their daily lives.

The Guardian

Mr. Skakel has denied that he killed Miss Moxley and has said he never confessed to doing so.

The New York Times

The show's producer described successful candidates as "the sort of people who take atlases to bed with them", and one team member confessed to doing just that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Indeed, some cracking its spine for the first time — as more than one commentator on the 50th anniversary has sheepishly confessed to doing — may be surprised at just how scholarly the book is.

The New York Times - Books

(I imagine someone must buy encyclopedias and telephone service from these people, or they would not keep calling, but I've never actually met anyone who will confess to doing this).

The New York Times

He only confessed to doing it after all of his buddies blew the whistle on him.

Huffington Post

In my memoir Licking the Spoon, in the chapter "Jack and Coke," I confessed to doing cocaine in my 20s.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confesses to doing", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the action being confessed to is something that could be considered wrong, embarrassing, or a secret. This provides clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "confesses to doing" for neutral or positive actions. "Confesses" implies acknowledging a fault or misdeed; using it in a positive context dilutes its impact and may confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confesses to doing" functions as a verbal phrase where "confesses" is the main verb expressing admission or acknowledgment of an action, and "to doing" specifies the action being admitted. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confesses to doing" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to express the admission of performing an action, typically something negative or secretive. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English, primarily in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While relatively uncommon, it effectively conveys guilt or acknowledgment of wrongdoing. To ensure clarity, it's best used when the action being confessed to is indeed something potentially wrong or embarrassing. Alternative phrases include "admits to doing" or "owns up to doing", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admits to doing

Focuses on a simple admission of performing an action, without necessarily implying guilt.

admits to having done

A more grammatically formal way of saying "admits to doing".

acknowledges doing

Indicates a formal recognition of having performed an action.

confesses to having committed

Specifically used when admitting to something wrong or illegal.

owns up to doing

Suggests taking responsibility for one's actions, often implying acceptance of consequences.

fesses up to doing

Presents an informal and casual admission of guilt.

concedes to doing

Implies a reluctant admission, often after some resistance or denial.

professes to doing

Suggests openly declaring or claiming to have done something, though it might not be fully believed.

reveals doing

Highlights the act of making something known that was previously hidden.

discloses doing

Emphasizes the act of uncovering or unveiling one's actions.

FAQs

How to use "confesses to doing" in a sentence?

You can use "confesses to doing" when someone admits to performing an action, typically something wrong or embarrassing. For example, "The suspect "confesses to doing" the crime during the police interrogation".

What can I say instead of "confesses to doing"?

Alternatives include "admits to doing", "acknowledges doing", or "owns up to doing", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative when someone "confesses to doing" something?

Yes, the term "confesses" generally implies the admission of something negative, whether it's a crime, a mistake, or a secret. It is rarely used in a positive context.

What is the difference between "admits to doing" and "confesses to doing"?

"Admits to doing" is a more neutral term that simply indicates acknowledgement of an action. "Confesses to doing", on the other hand, implies guilt, wrongdoing, or the revealing of something that was previously hidden or secret.