he has confessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has confessed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has admitted to something, typically a wrongdoing or secret, in the present perfect tense. Example: "After hours of questioning, he has confessed to the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

He has confessed to the charges.

Independent

He has confessed he's thinking about it.

The New York Times

He has confessed to leaking highly classified documents.

The New York Times

He has confessed to being a premature ejaculator.

The New York Times

"He has confessed to an extraordinarily serious offense that carries with it essentially life in prison".

The New York Times

He has confessed to slapping children but said he knew nothing of sexual abuse.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

He wished he had confessed all before the marriage.

Independent

Mr. Singer denied that he had confessed to anything.

The New York Times

When Blair offered him that job he had confessed all.

The Guardian

He was released after Chinese authorities said he had confessed and had been a model prisoner.

The New York Times

This included a family to whom he had confessed and who he subsequently sought to terrify".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he has confessed", ensure the context clearly indicates what he is admitting to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming a confession covers all potential wrongdoings. Clearly define the limits of what "he has confessed" to, preventing misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has confessed" functions as a statement of admission, indicating that someone has acknowledged a fact, often an error or wrongdoing. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he has confessed" is a commonly used phrase to indicate someone's admission of a fact, particularly in News & Media. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and best used when clearly stating what the subject has admitted to. While it generally maintains a neutral tone, alternative phrases like "he has admitted" or "he has acknowledged" can provide different nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has admitted

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym for confessing.

he has acknowledged

This suggests a formal recognition of something, often a fault or truth.

he has owned up to

This implies taking responsibility for something, often with a sense of guilt.

he has come clean about

This phrase suggests a full and honest admission after a period of concealment.

he has conceded

This indicates a reluctant admission, often in an argument or debate.

he has revealed

This focuses on making something known, which was previously secret.

he has disclosed

This suggests a formal or official revelation of information.

he has divulged

This implies revealing private or sensitive information.

he has professed

This indicates a declaration of belief or feeling, which can sometimes include an admission.

he has copped to

This is an informal, slang term for admitting to something, often a minor offense.

FAQs

What is a good substitute for "he has confessed"?

Alternatives include "he has admitted", "he has acknowledged", or "he has owned up to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what someone confessed to after saying "he has confessed"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what was confessed provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. Otherwise, the reader may misunderstand the scope of the confession.

How does the formality of "he has confessed" compare to alternatives?

"He has confessed" is relatively neutral. Alternatives like "he has copped to" are informal, while "he has acknowledged" can be more formal.

Can "he has confessed" be used for something other than wrongdoing?

Yes, although less common, "he has confessed" can be used to admit to feelings, beliefs, or preferences, not just wrongdoings. However, ensure the context makes this clear to avoid confusion.