they acknowledged that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they acknowledged that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce the idea or statement that is being recognized or accepted by the subject of the sentence. Example: The team acknowledged that their performance had not been up to par in the previous game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they acknowledged that was indeed their goal.

The Guardian

A few claimed to "never have measured," but even they acknowledged that was hard to believe.

Vice

But they acknowledged that conditions could change.

The New York Times

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

They acknowledged that the political winds were against them.

The New York Times

But they acknowledged that the tankers carried a significant quantity.

The New York Times

They acknowledged that there was no legal basis for impeachment.

The New Yorker

But they acknowledged that those fears are overblown.

The New York Times

They acknowledged that it would cover fewer people.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they acknowledged that" to introduce a statement that a group has recognized or accepted as true, often after some initial denial or resistance. It adds a layer of credibility to the information being presented.

Common error

Avoid using "they acknowledged that" when the group's acceptance is already evident or when a simpler verb like 'said' would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they acknowledged that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement or fact that a group or entity has recognized or admitted. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples illustrate its function in conveying acceptance or awareness of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they acknowledged that" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a statement that a group has recognized or admitted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a reporting clause, conveying acceptance or awareness of information, typically in neutral to professional contexts. Common in news and media, and often used in formal writing, it serves to highlight the recognition of a fact, potentially after some initial doubt. Related phrases include "they admitted that" and "they conceded that", offering similar but nuanced ways to express acceptance. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the acceptance of something previously uncertain or disputed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they admitted that

Focuses on the act of conceding something, often reluctantly.

they conceded that

Implies yielding or giving in on a point, often in an argument or debate.

they recognized that

Emphasizes the awareness or understanding of a particular fact or truth.

they confirmed that

Highlights the validation or verification of a statement or situation.

they affirmed that

Suggests a strong declaration or endorsement of something.

they avowed that

Indicates a formal or emphatic declaration of truth.

they attested that

Implies bearing witness to or giving evidence of something.

they professed that

Focuses on openly declaring a belief or feeling.

they disclosed that

Highlights the revelation of information that was previously unknown or secret.

they divulged that

Suggests the revealing of sensitive or private information.

FAQs

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

Use "they acknowledged that" to introduce a statement that a group recognizes as true. For example, "After reviewing the data, they acknowledged that the initial hypothesis was incorrect".

What can I say instead of "they acknowledged that"?

You can use alternatives like "they admitted that", "they conceded that", or "they recognized that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they acknowledge that" instead of "they acknowledged that"?

While "they acknowledge that" is grammatically correct, it implies a present or habitual action. "They acknowledged that" refers to a specific instance in the past when the acknowledgement occurred.

What's the difference between "they acknowledged that" and "they stated that"?

"They acknowledged that" implies an acceptance of something previously unknown or disputed, while "they stated that" simply means they made a declaration, without necessarily implying prior disagreement or lack of awareness.