hard to admit

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to admit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express something that is difficult to acknowledge publicly or privately. For example, "Even though I was embarrassed, it was hard to admit that I was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's hard to admit this.

The New York Times

Believe me, that's hard to admit.

Independent

This defeat is hard to admit.

The New Yorker

It's hard to admit that publicly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's hard to admit it, but that's the truth.

The Guardian

IT is hard to admit to being a soccer mom.

The New York Times - Travel

It can be very hard to admit vulnerability.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's hard to admit, but you can't just settle out of court for everything these days.

The New York Times

"It's hard to admit, but women are less corruptible than men and are cleaner," he said.

The New York Times

"The people around them believe it, and it's very hard to admit that it isn't true".

The New York Times

It's hard to admit that you're a member of the "Facebook generation".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to admit" when you want to convey a sense of reluctance or difficulty in acknowledging a truth, mistake, or feeling. It adds a layer of emotional honesty to your writing.

Common error

While effective, overuse of "hard to admit" can make your writing seem repetitive or insincere. Vary your language by using alternatives like "difficult to acknowledge" or "reluctant to confess" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to admit" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated clause. It expresses the difficulty or reluctance associated with acknowledging a particular fact, feeling, or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to admit" is a versatile phrase used to express the difficulty or reluctance in acknowledging something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its widespread usage across diverse sources, from news media to academic writing, demonstrates its acceptance. While it's a powerful tool for conveying honesty, remember to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "difficult to acknowledge" or "reluctant to confess" to maintain reader engagement. Use it strategically to add depth and sincerity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to acknowledge

Focuses on the challenge of acknowledging something rather than the act of admitting it.

tough to concede

Highlights the struggle of conceding a point or fact, often in an argument or debate.

reluctant to confess

Emphasizes the hesitancy or unwillingness to reveal something that may be seen as negative or shameful.

unwilling to own up to

Highlights the aversion to taking responsibility for something.

challenging to accept

Emphasizes the difficulty in internalizing and accepting a certain fact or situation.

it pains me to say

Highlights the speaker's emotional discomfort in saying a particular thing.

I hate to admit

Expresses the speaker's dislike of admitting something.

it's a bitter pill to swallow

This idiom focuses on the unpleasantness of accepting a particular truth or reality.

I'm loath to acknowledge

Highlights the speaker's aversion to recognizing something.

finding it hard to swallow

Focuses on the difficulty of believing something, often because it's surprising or unpleasant.

FAQs

What does "hard to admit" mean?

The phrase "hard to admit" indicates that something is difficult or unpleasant to acknowledge, often due to embarrassment, pride, or other emotional reasons.

What can I say instead of "hard to admit"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to acknowledge", "tough to concede", or "reluctant to confess" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "hard to admit" in a sentence?

Yes, the phrase "hard to admit" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts. It is used to express the difficulty in acknowledging something.

How do I use "hard to admit" effectively in my writing?

Use "hard to admit" when you want to emphasize the emotional struggle of acknowledging a particular truth or mistake. However, avoid overusing it to maintain the impact and sincerity of your writing.