to admit to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to admit to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone acknowledges or confesses to a particular action or feeling. Example: "She had to admit to her mistakes during the meeting to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

2. To admit to the heart, or to affection.

Yale University

And few people want to admit to adult peer pressure.

The New York Times

I have to admit to being a little disappointed.

Independent

And yes, it is O.K. to admit to tape failure.

The New York Times

Only one drinker is willing to admit to backing "yes".

The Economist

Those individuals are especially likely to admit to being racist.

The Economist

I have to admit to some slight skepticism, though.

The New York Times

And government doesn't want to admit to either," he said.

The Guardian

The thought is one I have to admit to sharing.

The Guardian - Music

Most initially refuse to admit to having an abortion.

The Guardian

And certainly no one wants to admit to it.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to admit to", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being acknowledged or confessed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

While "to admit to" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider stronger, more formal alternatives like "to acknowledge" or "to concede" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to admit to" functions as an infinitive phrase. It introduces an action of acknowledging something, often a fault, mistake, or something previously unacknowledged. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is used in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to admit to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase for expressing acknowledgment, confession, or recognition. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While generally neutral, its formality can be adjusted using alternatives like "to acknowledge" or "to confess to". By understanding its nuances and potential substitutes, writers can effectively convey their intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to confess to

Emphasizes acknowledging wrongdoing or something embarrassing.

to acknowledge

Suggests a formal recognition or acceptance of a fact or truth.

to concede

Implies reluctantly admitting something, often in an argument.

to own up to

Indicates taking responsibility for something, often a mistake.

to avow

Signifies a strong and open declaration or admission.

to profess

Suggests openly declaring a belief or feeling.

to reveal

Highlights the act of making something known, often something previously hidden.

to disclose

Implies making information available, often of a confidential nature.

to fess up to

An informal way of saying to confess.

to come clean about

Means to tell the truth about something that has been kept secret.

FAQs

How can I use "to admit to" in a sentence?

Use "to admit to" when you want to express acknowledging or confessing something. For example, "I have "to admit to swaying" in their direction" or "She had "to admit to her mistakes" during the meeting".

What phrases can I use instead of "to admit to"?

Alternatives include "to confess to", "to acknowledge", "to concede", or "to own up to", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it more formal to say "to admit to" or "to acknowledge"?

"To acknowledge" is generally more formal than "to admit to". While "to admit to" implies acknowledging something, often a fault or mistake, "to acknowledge" suggests a more neutral recognition of a fact or situation.

What is the difference between "to admit to" and "to confess to"?

"To confess to" typically implies acknowledging wrongdoing or something embarrassing, whereas "to admit to" can be used in a broader context to acknowledge any fact or feeling, not necessarily negative.