had previously admitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had previously admitted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone acknowledged or confessed to something at an earlier time before the current context. Example: "The defendant had previously admitted to being at the scene of the crime during the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

He had previously admitted manslaughter.

Independent

He had previously admitted causing death due to careless driving.

Independent

North Korea declared that it had slightly more plutonium than it had previously admitted.

The New York Times

(Zülle had previously admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs and was suspended and fined).

The New York Times - Sports

He had previously admitted to two counts of misconduct in public office, and was dismissed by the Metropolitan police.

The Guardian

The Tories have had one ex-minister, Tim Smith, confess to taking bigger bribes than he had previously admitted.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The CIA has previously admitted to having waterboarded al-Nashiri.

The Guardian

He has previously admitted to training with al-Qaida.

The Guardian - Opinion

Angelakos has previously admitted writing the Chunk Of Change EP while very depressed.

The Guardian - Music

Woods has previously admitted that ignoring medical advice earlier in his career was to his detriment.

The Guardian - Sport

The Manchester United striker has previously admitted his hair is "a sensitive subject".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had previously admitted", ensure that the context clearly establishes the timeframe of the prior admission relative to the current narrative. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "had previously admitted" when the subsequent context shifts to a future tense. Maintain consistent tense usage to ensure grammatical accuracy and logical flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had previously admitted" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action of acknowledging something. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it typically introduces information that was confessed or revealed before the current context. The expression is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had previously admitted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples showcasing its function in referencing prior statements or confessions. While neutral in tone, the phrase is a useful tool for providing background information and context. Alternatives like "earlier confessed" or "formerly acknowledged" offer slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had confessed before

Reorders the words for a slightly different emphasis, but retains the core meaning of confessing.

earlier confessed

Replaces "admitted" with "confessed", implying a stronger sense of guilt or wrongdoing.

had already come clean about

Uses "come clean", indicating a complete and honest confession after a period of concealment.

formerly acknowledged

Uses "acknowledged" instead of "admitted", suggesting a more neutral recognition of a fact.

previously owned up to

Replaces "admitted" with the phrasal verb "owned up to", implying acceptance of responsibility for something.

once conceded

Replaces "admitted" with "conceded", implying reluctance or initial resistance to acknowledging something.

had earlier disclosed

Uses "disclosed" instead of "admitted", suggesting a revealing of information that was previously private.

had revealed in the past

Emphasizes the act of revealing information at some point in the past.

had avowed before

Uses "avowed" instead of "admitted", indicating a formal and emphatic declaration.

had earlier let on

Employs the idiom "let on", suggesting a subtle or indirect admission.

FAQs

How can I use "had previously admitted" in a sentence?

Use "had previously admitted" to indicate that someone acknowledged something at an earlier time. For example: "The defendant "had previously admitted" to being at the scene of the crime."

What's the difference between "had previously admitted" and "earlier confessed"?

"Had previously admitted" is a more neutral statement, while "earlier confessed" implies a stronger sense of guilt or wrongdoing.

Is it correct to say "has previously admitted" instead of "had previously admitted"?

The choice depends on the context. "Has previously admitted" is used when the past admission is still relevant to the present, while "had previously admitted" is used when referring to an admission in the more distant past, before another past action.

What are some alternatives to "had previously admitted"?

You can use alternatives like "formerly acknowledged", "once conceded", or "earlier disclosed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.