they acknowledged

USAGE SUMMARY

'they acknowledged' is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "The mayor and their team acknowledged the citizens' concerns about increased taxes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But they acknowledged the difficulties.

The New York Times

They acknowledged the risks they were taking.

The Guardian

But they acknowledged that conditions could change.

The New York Times

They acknowledged the challenges they face.

The New York Times

They acknowledged they needed to do something".

The New York Times

However, they acknowledged hearing similar accounts.

The Guardian

Later, they acknowledged that he had.

The New York Times

They acknowledged that it would take time and patience.

The New York Times - Sports

This week they acknowledged that the punishment was happening anyway.

The Economist

But they acknowledged the interesting position they are in.

The New York Times - Sports

They acknowledged that the political winds were against them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they acknowledged" when you want to convey a sense of recognition, acceptance, or admission of something, often after some consideration or denial. It is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While "they acknowledged" is generally appropriate, avoid overuse in very formal or academic writing where more precise verbs like "they demonstrated" or "they ascertained" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they acknowledged" typically functions as the main verb in a clause, indicating that a group of people recognized, admitted, or accepted something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to introduce information that was previously unknown, uncertain, or disputed. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they acknowledged" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a group has recognized, admitted, or accepted something. As Ludwig shows, it is frequently found in news and media sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. While versatile, consider more precise alternatives like "they admitted" or "they recognized" based on the specific context. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, making it a reliable choice for various writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they admitted

Implies accepting something is true, often reluctantly. The subtle nuance is toward accepting blame or error.

they conceded

Indicates yielding a point or argument, often in a debate or negotiation setting.

they recognized

Focuses on the act of noticing and understanding something. Less emphasis on acceptance than "acknowledged".

they confirmed

Suggests verifying the truth or validity of something that was previously uncertain.

they affirmed

Indicates a strong declaration or endorsement of something.

they validated

Implies confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something through evidence or proof.

they confessed

Suggests a formal declaration of something previously hidden, often with a sense of guilt or wrongdoing.

they owned up to

An informal way of saying they took responsibility for something.

they avowed

A more formal way to declare or assert something openly.

they professed

Indicates a public declaration of belief or feeling, often with a hint of insincerity.

FAQs

How can I use "they acknowledged" in a sentence?

You can use "they acknowledged" to indicate that a group of people recognized or admitted something, for example: "After reviewing the data, "they acknowledged" the need for further investigation."

What is a more formal alternative to "they acknowledged"?

In more formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "they recognized", "they confirmed", or "they verified" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "they acknowledged" and "they admitted"?

While similar, "they acknowledged" often implies a more neutral recognition of a fact, whereas "they admitted" suggests accepting something is true, possibly with reluctance or after denial.

Can I use "they acknowledged" in informal writing?

While "they acknowledged" is generally suitable for neutral and formal writing, it can also be used in informal contexts. However, consider using more conversational alternatives like "they agreed" or "they realized" for a more relaxed tone.