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Admit (to) Vs Confess (to)

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:51 am
by SARDORBEK
Once I asked a question concerning “admit (to) doing”
I received the following answer from YOU:
--> “In many cases, the 'to' is optional. It is, however, usually omitted before an action verb
(particularly in a criminal context), while it is often preserved before a stative verb,
such as 'be' or 'have'.”

As for “confess (to) doing”, occasionally I meet the verb without “to”.
Is it the same case as “admit (to) doing) ?

Many thanks…

Re: Admit (to) Vs Confess (to)

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:13 pm
by Joe
In the sense of "admit":
confess to doing/being :ok:
confessed that he did :ok:
confess doing :nok:

In the sense of "declaring one's belief":
confess faith in :ok:

In the sense of "formally declaring one's sins":
confess to a priest :ok: