we can acknowledge that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we can acknowledge that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express recognition or acceptance of a fact or situation. Example: "In discussions about climate change, we can acknowledge that human activity has significantly contributed to global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Instead, one might argue, we can acknowledge that rational moral agents have the highest moral standing and worth and are owed maximal respect, and also maintain that other beings have lesser but still morally significant standing or worth and so deserve less but still some respect.

SEP

We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice.

The Guardian

"We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice," Obama concluded.

The New Yorker

If we can acknowledge that addiction is like a disease in some ways and very much unlike a disease in other ways, maybe we can stop trying to label it and pay more attention to the best means for overcoming it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

" I think it's time to find a middle ground where we can acknowledge that the erotic pleasure that propels us to reproduce is part of the same pleasure that propels us to nurture our children, and that's something to be celebrated, not denied.

The New York Times

Kincaid, noting that the terms "author" and "work" are relatively newfangled, advocated a more open-minded approach to plagiarism: If we can acknowledge that originality is relative, existing on a scale, then we may even grudgingly admit that plagiarism must also be.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But we also can acknowledge that our actions, our fantasies and the pictures we consume are not all that far apart.

The New York Times

We can acknowledge the imperialist arrogance that would kidnap a young boy and trumpet the achievement through newspapers and photographs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asked about the report, a spokeswoman for the Energy Department, Stephanie Mueller, said, "We can acknowledge there's more work that needs to be done".

The New York Times - Science

As James Gilligan, in Preventing Violence, writes: "We cannot even begin to prevent violence until we can acknowledge what we ourselves are doing that contributes to it, actively or passively".

Huffington Post

By demonstrating that we can acknowledge and remedy a grievous wrong, we will remind the world what makes America great.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we can acknowledge that" to introduce a shared understanding or a point of agreement before presenting a counter-argument or further analysis. This helps build rapport with the reader.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "we can acknowledge that". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent the writing from sounding repetitive. Use synonyms or rephrase the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can acknowledge that" functions as a declarative statement, introducing a point of agreement or a commonly understood fact. It sets the stage for further discussion or analysis. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we can acknowledge that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a commonly understood fact or point of agreement. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable. It's prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific writing, indicating its suitability for various contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it can lean towards formal depending on the surrounding content. To enhance writing, it's best used to establish common ground before diving into more complex ideas, but be mindful of overuse to avoid sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can recognize that

Replaces "acknowledge" with "recognize", implying a similar understanding or acceptance of something.

we can admit that

Substitutes "acknowledge" with "admit", suggesting a concession or acceptance of something, often reluctantly.

we can understand that

Replaces "acknowledge" with "understand", focusing on comprehension rather than acceptance.

we can appreciate that

Uses "appreciate" instead of "acknowledge", indicating a valuing or recognition of the importance of something.

it is worth noting that

Shifts the focus to the noteworthiness of a fact, rather than an act of acknowledgement.

it should be recognized that

Presents a similar concept in a more formal and passive voice.

it's important to realize that

Emphasizes the importance of understanding or becoming aware of something.

we must consider that

Highlights the necessity of taking something into account.

we should bear in mind that

Suggests keeping a particular fact or idea in mind while considering something.

let's not forget that

Introduces a reminder of something that should be taken into consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "we can acknowledge that" in a sentence?

Use "we can acknowledge that" to introduce a fact or idea that you and your audience can agree on, often as a starting point for further discussion or analysis. For example, "We can acknowledge that the initial results are promising, but further research is needed."

What can I say instead of "we can acknowledge that"?

You can use alternatives like "we can recognize that", "we can admit that", or "we can understand that" depending on the context.

Is "we can acknowledge that" formal or informal?

"We can acknowledge that" is generally considered neutral to formal and is appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, including academic, professional, and journalistic writing.

What's the difference between "we can acknowledge that" and "we must acknowledge that"?

"We can acknowledge that" suggests a possibility or willingness to recognize something, while "we must acknowledge that" indicates a necessity or obligation to do so. The latter carries a stronger sense of importance.