needs to be acknowledged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be acknowledged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the importance of recognizing or accepting something, often in discussions or analyses. Example: "The contributions of the volunteers to this project needs to be acknowledged to ensure they feel valued."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monoculture is dangerous in any form — and that needs to be acknowledged.

The New Yorker

What needs to be acknowledged, however, is that school reform won't fix everything.

The New York Times

But there's a complicated trade-off here that needs to be acknowledged".

The New York Times

This is something which needs to be acknowledged and worked with.

The Guardian

The imbalance of power in these relationships needs to be acknowledged.

The Guardian

We also begin every meeting by asking who needs to be acknowledged in the firm.

The New York Times

There is a critical point that needs to be acknowledged here.

The Guardian

Managers' attitudes toward risk are often complex, and that psychological wrinkle needs to be acknowledged.

Harvard Business Review

And even if perceptions are wrong, there is still a feeling of insecurity and inequality that needs to be acknowledged.

The Guardian

This study demonstrates the interactions between social and environmental factors, structures and processes and shows that colonial conquest needs to be acknowledged as a major problem.

Princeton University

The privilege and advantages that are bestowed upon students attending Princeton University cannot be overstated, and this fact needs to be acknowledged.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "needs to be acknowledged" to introduce limitations in research papers to maintain transparency and credibility.

Common error

While "needs to be acknowledged" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to active voice where appropriate, such as "we must acknowledge" or "it is important to acknowledge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be acknowledged" functions as a passive construction emphasizing the necessity of recognizing or accepting a fact, limitation, or contribution. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be acknowledged" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the importance of recognizing or accepting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in science, news, and academic writing. While correct, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives for a more direct style. Related phrases like "should be recognized" or "warrants consideration" offer nuanced alternatives. Whether highlighting limitations in research or giving credit where it's due, using "needs to be acknowledged" effectively enhances clarity and transparency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be recognized

Emphasizes a moral obligation to recognize something.

must be recognized

Indicates a strong necessity for recognition.

ought to be recognized

Suggests a moral correctness in recognizing something.

deserves recognition

Highlights the worthiness of something to be recognized.

warrants consideration

Indicates that something is worthy of careful thought and attention.

requires acknowledgement

Uses a noun form of "acknowledge", emphasizing the need for recognition.

demands attention

Stresses the urgency of paying attention to something.

cannot be ignored

Highlights the impossibility of overlooking something.

should not be overlooked

Suggests that something is important enough to warrant attention.

merits appreciation

Emphasizes the value and worth of something, calling for gratitude.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be acknowledged" in a sentence?

The phrase "needs to be acknowledged" is used to emphasize that something should be recognized or taken into consideration. For instance, "The limitations of this study "needs to be acknowledged" when interpreting the results."

What are some alternatives to saying "needs to be acknowledged"?

Alternatives include phrases like "should be recognized", "must be recognized", or "warrants consideration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "needs to be acknowledged"?

While "needs to be acknowledged" is in the passive voice, it's grammatically correct. However, consider using active voice for a more direct tone. For example, instead of "This "needs to be acknowledged"", you could say "We must acknowledge this".

What's the difference between "needs to be acknowledged" and "needs to be recognized"?

While similar, "acknowledged" implies accepting the truth or existence of something, whereas "recognized" implies noticing or becoming aware of something. The best choice depends on the specific context.