confessing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confessing that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is admitting to something, often in a context where they reveal a truth or a secret. Example: "He was confessing that he had made a mistake in his calculations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'You know what, that pig is gone,' he says confessing that nickyhayden.com isn't entirely up to date.

The Guardian - Sport

Confessing that career ambition ruined his marriage, Roy says Gillian is all that matters now.

Los Angeles Times

Against that backdrop, confessing that sex isn't part of your life makes it unclear exactly where you belong.

Huffington Post

The interrogators beat Yezhov's underlings into confessing that he had ordered them to beat confessions out of others.

The New Yorker

He began by confessing that "there's a certain enjoyment in facing death, periodically".

The New Yorker

Marchbanks briefly capitulates, confessing that he now realizes how much Morell loves his wife.

The New York Times

When Cody haltingly begins confessing that he smokes pot and snorts cocaine, she is unimpressed.

The New York Times

MAYBE it's best to begin by confessing that I've never really seen the point of Switzerland.

The New York Times

He was summarily rejected, Dr. Costill said, confessing that his college grades had been unimpressive.

The New York Times - Health

He was released after confessing that foreign agents might have exploited his expertise.

The New York Times - Books

He has an entertaining expression of shame while confessing that his degree subject was Canadian Television.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confessing that", ensure the context clearly indicates an admission of something that was previously concealed or not openly acknowledged. This emphasizes the revealing aspect of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "confessing that" when a simple statement of fact is sufficient. Phrases like "stating that" or "mentioning that" are more appropriate when there is no element of admission or hidden information being revealed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confessing that" functions as a conjunctive phrase, connecting a statement with an admission or acknowledgment. Ludwig AI examples show its common use in introducing clauses that reveal information previously unstated or potentially hidden. It signals an act of disclosure, often implying a sense of reluctance or internal conflict.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "confessing that" is a grammatically correct and widely used conjunctive phrase that introduces an admission or disclosure. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to connect a statement with the act of revealing information previously unstated. While its register is generally neutral, it finds frequent use in news and media, often implying an element of reluctance or hidden information. When writing, be mindful to use "confessing that" when an actual confession or admission is intended, avoiding its overuse in neutral contexts where simpler phrases like "stating that" would be more appropriate. Consider alternatives such as "admitting that" or "acknowledging that" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admitting that

Replaces "confessing" with "admitting", offering a slightly less formal tone while retaining the core meaning of acknowledging something to be true.

disclosing that

Similar to "revealing that", but often used in more formal or official contexts.

acknowledging that

Uses "acknowledging" instead of "confessing", which can be more suitable in contexts where a formal admission is required.

revealing that

Switches from "confessing" to "revealing", highlighting the act of making something known that was previously hidden.

declaring that

Replaces "confessing" with a more neutral "declaring", suitable when the information being shared is not necessarily sensitive or incriminating.

owning up to the fact that

This phrase is more colloquial and emphasizes taking responsibility for a specific action or truth.

avowing that

A more formal and emphatic way of declaring or admitting something.

conceding that

Implies a reluctant admission, often in the face of opposition or doubt.

coming clean about

This phrase implies a complete and honest admission of something previously hidden.

fessing up to

An informal and direct way of saying "confessing", often used when admitting to minor wrongdoings.

FAQs

How can I use "confessing that" in a sentence?

Use "confessing that" when someone is admitting to something, often a truth or a fault they were previously reluctant to reveal. Example: "After much deliberation, he was "confessing that" he had made a mistake".

What are some alternatives to saying "confessing that"?

You can use alternatives like "admitting that", "acknowledging that", or "revealing that" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it always negative to use the phrase "confessing that"?

While "confessing that" often implies admitting something negative, it can also be used when revealing a surprising or unexpected truth, even if it's not inherently bad. The key is the element of revelation and the speaker's internal conflict or reluctance.

What's the difference between "confessing that" and "stating that"?

"Confessing that" implies admitting something previously hidden or perhaps shameful, while "stating that" is a neutral way of conveying information without any implication of prior concealment or guilt. Using "stating that" is more appropriate for simply presenting facts.