formally acknowledge that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formally acknowledge that" is an appropriate and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an acknowledgement or recognition of a fact, event, or situation, usually in a formal or official context. For example: "The government has formally acknowledged that climate change is an urgent threat that must be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Ballistics tests showed that the bullet that killed him was fired by a semiautomatic pistol like those used by the police, though the department has yet to formally acknowledge that Mr. Soto was shot by an officer.

The New York Times

At some point, the Yankees will formally acknowledge that Rick Down has replaced Gary Denbo as the hitting coach and that Rich Monteleone is taking over for Tony Cloninger as the bullpen coach.

The New York Times - Sports

The official, Ramin Mehmanparast, a spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, was the highest-ranking Iranian official to formally acknowledge that Iran had suspended the woman's stoning, a sentence that provoked an international outcry and intensified criticism of Iran's human rights record.

The New York Times

Ward McCarthy, the chief financial economist at Jefferies & Company and a longtime Fed watcher, said he expected the Fed to formally acknowledge that, in the words of its chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, the outlook for the economy is now "unusually uncertain".

The New York Times

But it's taken a decade for NSF officials to formally acknowledge that improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is a legitimate research activity for a graduate student.

Science Magazine

Some hypocrites don't feel shame, but at least they formally acknowledge that there are things about which one should be ashamed (the norms the other guy is violating).

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Also, how about formally acknowledging that sometimes pain cannot be entirely eradicated?

The New York Times

Before leaving for Brussels, Mr. Blair recorded a five-minute speech that was broadcast in Britain at 10 p.m., formally acknowledging that British troops are now at war.

The New York Times

In exchange, Dublin sacrificed a hallowed tenet of the nationalist faith by formally acknowledging that Ireland's unity could be achieved only with the consent of the majority in the northern six counties.

The New York Times

The reversal of the archdiocese's policy on sexual abuse complaints seems to suggest that a new era of cooperation between civil and church authorities has begun, however grudgingly, with church officials formally acknowledging that law enforcement cannot be kept in the dark on matters of sexual abuse, past or present.

The New York Times

With the SEC last year formally acknowledging that companies can communicate news legitimately via Twitter (as long as investors are alerted of it), Twitter has become an increasingly central part of the conversation around how different businesses and industries are progressing.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formally acknowledge that" when you need to emphasize the official or authoritative nature of an acknowledgement. This phrase is suitable for legal, business, or governmental contexts where precision and clarity are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "formally acknowledge that" in informal settings. In casual conversation or less formal writing, simpler phrases like "admit" or "recognize" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formally acknowledge that" functions as a declarative expression, used to introduce a statement of official recognition or acceptance. It is frequently used to signal that a fact, situation, or event is being recognized in a structured and authoritative manner, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formally acknowledge that" is used to introduce a statement of official recognition, acceptance, or admission. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. It's particularly suited to professional, legal, or governmental contexts. While it is appropriate for formal contexts, simpler alternatives such as "admit" or "recognize" should be used in more casual settings. Predominantly found in news and media, and scientific sources, the phrase serves to convey authority and precision. Alternatives include phrases like "officially recognize that" and "publicly admit that", each with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

officially recognize that

Replaces "acknowledge" with "recognize", emphasizing a formal act of recognition.

expressly acknowledge that

Emphasizes the clarity and explicitness of the acknowledgement.

publicly admit that

Focuses on the act of admitting something openly, adding a layer of transparency.

formally affirm that

Stresses the act of confirming something with authority.

formally accept that

Focuses on the acceptance of a fact or situation, often implying agreement.

duly acknowledge that

Adds a sense of obligation or correctness to the acknowledgement.

formally concede that

Highlights the act of yielding or admitting something, often reluctantly.

officially declare that

Emphasizes a formal announcement or proclamation.

formally represent that

Highlights the act of stating something as a fact, especially in an official capacity.

formally profess that

Implies a solemn or public declaration of belief or knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "formally acknowledge that" in a sentence?

You can use "formally acknowledge that" to introduce a statement that confirms something officially. For example, "The company "formally acknowledged that" there had been a data breach".

What are some alternatives to "formally acknowledge that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "officially recognize that", "publicly admit that", or "formally concede that". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "formally acknowledge that" in casual conversation?

No, "formally acknowledge that" is generally too formal for casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "admit" or "recognize" are more suitable for informal settings.

What's the difference between "formally acknowledge that" and "acknowledge that"?

The addition of "formally" emphasizes that the acknowledgement is official, authoritative, or done in a specific, structured manner. Without "formally", the acknowledgement is simply a recognition of something.