admit
HighNeutral to formal. Common in legal, academic, medical, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To concede the truth or existence of something, often reluctantly; to allow entry.
Can also mean to accept someone into an institution (like a hospital or university) or to grant access to a place or membership. Figuratively, it can refer to accepting evidence or facts into consideration.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies reluctance or a negative connotation when confessing fault. In institutional contexts, it is neutral.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Minor preference in certain collocations (e.g., 'admitted to hospital' is common in UK English without 'the'; US English often uses 'admitted to the hospital').
Connotations
Similar across both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
admit [that] clauseadmit to + -ing/nounadmit + noun/thingadmit + person + to/into + placeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “admit defeat”
- “admit of (allow for the possibility of)”
- “admit to oneself”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We must admit the project's failure to secure further funding.
Academic
The study admits several methodological limitations.
Everyday
I have to admit, the film was better than I expected.
Technical
The valve admits a controlled flow of coolant into the chamber.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He finally admitted he had lost the key.
- The school admits only 100 pupils each year.
- She was admitted to hospital with chest pains.
American English
- He finally admitted he had lost the key.
- The university admits students based on a holistic review.
- He was admitted to the hospital for observation.
adverb
British English
- Admittedly, the instructions were unclear.
American English
- Admittedly, I started the project too late.
adjective
British English
- The admitted facts of the case were not in dispute.
- He is an admitted fan of jazz music.
American English
- The admitted facts of the case were not in dispute.
- She is an admitted procrastinator.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I admit I like chocolate.
- The door admits light into the room.
- You must admit it was a clever idea.
- The club admits new members every spring.
- The government was forced to admit its policy had failed.
- This ticket admits one person to the gallery.
- The theory admits of no exceptions.
- He admitted to having felt jealous of his colleague's success.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ADMIT = Allow/Declare My Internal Truth.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADMISSION IS OPENING A GATE (to truth, to a place).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing 'admit' with 'let in' (which is closer to 'allow to enter'). Overusing 'admit' for simple 'say' or 'think'. Beware of the structure 'admit to doing' vs. Russian 'признаваться в чём-то'.
Common Mistakes
- *I admit to make a mistake. (Correct: I admit to making a mistake / I admit [that] I made a mistake.)
- *He was admitted in hospital. (Correct: He was admitted to hospital [UK] / to the hospital [US].)
- *She admitted steal the money. (Correct: She admitted stealing / to stealing / [that] she stole the money.)
Practice
Quiz
In a formal context, which phrase is most appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Confess' is stronger and typically used for serious wrongdoings, often in moral or legal contexts (confess a crime, confess sins). 'Admit' is broader and can be used for any fact, including neutral or positive ones (admit a mistake, admit you're tired, admit it's a beautiful day).
No. While often used for admitting faults or problems, it is neutral in contexts of granting entry or acceptance (admit a student to university, a ticket admits you).
Commonly 'to' (admit to stealing, admit to a feeling) and 'into' (admit into a programme). Also used with direct object (admit a fault) and 'that' clauses (admit that...).
Yes, but it's less common. It is used for actions in progress (e.g., 'The hospital is currently admitting emergency cases only.') or for emphasis ('Are you admitting you lied?'). Stative meanings ('I admit it') are not typically used in progressive forms.