he confessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he confessed' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to someone admitting to something or telling the truth about something they have done. For example, "After being questioned for a few hours, he confessed to the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He confessed.

The New York Times

He confessed many times.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's madness," he confessed.

The New York Times

He confessed, "I'll miss it".

The New York Times - Arts

(He confessed to the crime).

The New York Times

("It's absolute rubbish," he confessed).

The New Yorker

"Not much," he confessed.

The New York Times

Then he confessed.

The New York Times - Arts

"No," he confessed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cornered, he confessed.

The New York Times

"I'm Christine!" he confessed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “he confessed” when you want to emphasize the act of admitting something, especially something that was previously hidden or denied. Consider the nuance of guilt or wrongdoing often associated with the term.

Common error

Avoid using “he confessed” when a simpler term like “said” or “stated” would be more appropriate. Overusing “confessed” can create an unnecessary implication of guilt or wrongdoing where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he confessed" functions as an independent clause, typically serving as the main clause in a sentence. It asserts that a male subject has admitted to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he confessed" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that a male subject has admitted to something, often implying guilt or the revelation of previously hidden information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it's important to consider the nuance of guilt or wrongdoing when using this phrase, and to avoid overusing it in neutral contexts where simpler terms would be more appropriate. Alternatives like "he admitted" or "he acknowledged" may be more suitable in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he admitted

A more straightforward synonym for confessing, implying a simple acknowledgment of a fact or fault.

he acknowledged

Suggests a formal recognition of something, often something previously denied or ignored.

he made a confession

A more formal and emphatic way of stating that someone confessed.

he revealed

Implies uncovering something previously hidden or secret.

he came clean about

Suggests a complete and honest admission of guilt or wrongdoing, often after a period of concealment.

he disclosed

Similar to reveal, but often used in contexts where information is legally or ethically required to be made public.

he owned up to

An informal way of saying someone took responsibility for something, usually a mistake or wrongdoing.

he divulged

To make something known; disclose or reveal.

he professed

Indicates a formal declaration or assertion, often of a belief or feeling.

he copped to

A slang term for admitting to something, typically a minor offense.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "he confessed"?

Alternatives include "he admitted", "he acknowledged", or "he revealed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "he confessed" in formal writing?

Yes, "he confessed" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when referring to the admission of a crime or serious wrongdoing. However, consider alternatives like "he stated" or "he acknowledged" for more neutral contexts.

What's the difference between "he confessed" and "he admitted"?

While both imply acknowledging something, "he confessed" often suggests a deeper sense of guilt or wrongdoing, whereas "he admitted" can be a more neutral acknowledgment of a fact or situation.

How can I use "he confessed" in a sentence?

You can use "he confessed" in a sentence like this: "After hours of questioning, "he confessed" to the crime." or "Cornered, "he confessed". "