freely admit

USAGE SUMMARY

"freely admit" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is openly and willingly acknowledging something, often without hesitation or reservation. Example: I must freely admit that I was wrong in my assumptions about him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I would freely admit that".

The New York Times - Sports

I will freely admit this.

The New York Times

I freely admit I was an Olympics sceptic.

Independent

(Others in the agency freely admit to both).

The New York Times - Magazine

I'll freely admit to having a personal bias.

The New York Times

But I freely admit, I'm not a pensions expert.

The Guardian - Money

(This, I freely admit, could be because of my compromised position as a 21st-century bourgeois).

The New York Times - Magazine

"I freely admit that I was wrong, and the governor was right," he said.

The New York Times

#universitychallenge I'll freely admit I've not done well in #universitychallenge tonight.

Independent

JOEL TENENBAUM: Proving downloading is "impossible," even though I freely admit to it.

The New Yorker

And that, those involved freely admit, is exactly what it was.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "freely admit" to emphasize your openness and honesty when acknowledging something, especially if it's a mistake, a bias, or something others might hesitate to say. It adds a layer of sincerity to your statement.

Common error

While "freely admit" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or less sophisticated. In formal contexts, consider varying your language with alternatives like "I acknowledge without reservation" or "I readily concede" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "freely admit" functions as a verb phrase used to express a speaker's willingness and openness in acknowledging a fact, opinion, or mistake. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase follows standard grammar rules. Examples from Ludwig show it's often used to preface statements where the speaker wants to emphasize their honesty or lack of reservation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "freely admit" is a commonly used verb phrase to express a speaker's willingness to acknowledge something, often a mistake or a less flattering truth. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammar rules and is used across various contexts, but predominantly in news and media. When using the phrase, consider your audience and the level of formality required. While sincerity is appreciated, overuse of "freely admit" may be perceived as repetitive. Consider alternatives such as "openly acknowledge" or "readily concede" to maintain a professional tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Openly acknowledge

Emphasizes transparency and lack of reservation in admitting something.

Readily concede

Highlights a willingness to give in or grant something, often after some initial resistance.

Willingly confess

Implies admitting something that might be considered wrong or embarrassing, but doing so without reluctance.

Frankly declare

Stresses honesty and directness in making an admission or statement.

Honestly avow

Similar to "frankly declare", but suggests a more formal and solemn affirmation.

Acknowledge without hesitation

Focuses on the promptness and certainty of the admission.

Admit without reservation

Emphasizes that the admission is complete and unreserved.

Confess without reluctance

Highlights the absence of resistance or unwillingness in making a confession.

Acknowledge unreservedly

Stresses the comprehensiveness and lack of limitation in the acknowledgement.

Admit candidly

Highlights the honesty and straightforwardness of the admission.

FAQs

How can I use "freely admit" in a sentence?

You can use "freely admit" to express an open and willing acknowledgment of something, like in the sentence, "I "freely admit" that I was mistaken in my initial assessment."

What can I say instead of "freely admit"?

You can use alternatives like "openly acknowledge", "readily concede", or "willingly confess depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "I freely admit that I admit something"?

Yes, saying "I freely admit that I admit something" is redundant. It's more concise and effective to simply say "I "freely admit"" followed by the statement you are acknowledging.

What's the difference between "freely admit" and "reluctantly admit"?

"Freely admit" implies a willingness and openness in acknowledging something, while "reluctantly admit" suggests that the person is admitting something against their will or with some hesitation. The choice depends on the context and the speaker's attitude.