he confessed that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he confessed that" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
Here's an example sentence: "He confessed that he had stolen the money from his brother's wallet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Mama," he confessed, "that was me".

The New York Times - Arts

He confessed that the process has been "a learning experience".

The New York Times

He confessed that he cannot improve quality.

The Guardian

He confessed that he ate it.

The Guardian

He confessed that all the signing was taking its toll.

The New Yorker

But he confessed that they had faced skepticism.

The New York Times

Meinhold obliged, though he confessed that he'd fabricated it.

The New Yorker

Eventually, however, he confessed that his appearances had been fixed.

The New York Times

He confessed that it was "everything I ever dreamed of".

The Guardian - Sport

He confessed that he was hungry and was headed downstairs to buy some soup.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He confessed that he still watches Tom & Jerry in times of turmoil.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he confessed that" when the subject is admitting to something potentially embarrassing, shameful, or illegal. The verb "confess" often carries a heavier connotation than simply "said" or "stated".

Common error

Avoid using "he confessed that" when a simpler verb like "said", "stated", or "mentioned" would be more appropriate. The word "confessed" implies guilt or wrongdoing, so it's best reserved for situations where such an implication is accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he confessed that" serves as a declarative structure, where 'he' is the subject, 'confessed' is the verb indicating admission of something, and 'that' introduces a subordinate clause containing the confessed information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he confessed that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate an admission, typically involving a sense of guilt or wrongdoing. Ludwig's analysis, supported by a vast number of real-world examples, highlights its prevalence in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations where the implication of confession is accurate. Alternatives like "he said that" or "he mentioned that" may be more suitable in neutral contexts. When aiming for clarity and accuracy in your writing, remember that the verb "confess" adds a significant layer of meaning beyond simple acknowledgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he admitted that

Synonymous; replaces "confessed" with "admitted", implying a less weighty admission.

he acknowledged that

Similar; "acknowledged" suggests recognizing or accepting something as true or valid.

he revealed that

"Revealed" implies making something known that was previously secret or unknown.

he disclosed that

"Disclosed" suggests revealing information, often of a private or confidential nature.

he divulged that

"Divulged" suggests revealing sensitive or private information, often reluctantly.

he professed that

"Professed" implies declaring openly, often with conviction.

he conceded that

"Conceded" suggests admitting something is true or valid, often unwillingly.

he owned up to

Informal; "owned up to" suggests taking responsibility for something, often a mistake or wrongdoing.

he came clean about

Informal; "came clean" suggests making a full confession after concealing something.

he let on that

Informal; "let on" suggests revealing something unintentionally or indirectly.

FAQs

What does "he confessed that" mean?

The phrase "he confessed that" means that a male person admitted to something, often something they were initially reluctant to reveal or something that could reflect negatively on them. It implies a sense of guilt or acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

When is it appropriate to use "he confessed that"?

It's appropriate to use "he confessed that" when the person is admitting to something that carries a moral or legal weight. For less serious admissions, consider alternatives such as "he said that" or "he mentioned that".

What are some alternatives to "he confessed that"?

Some alternatives to "he confessed that" include "he admitted that", "he acknowledged that", or "he revealed that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "he confessed that" and "he admitted that"?

While similar, "he confessed that" generally implies a deeper sense of guilt or wrongdoing than "he admitted that". Confession suggests a more profound acknowledgment and potential acceptance of consequences.