Admit (to) Vs Confess (to)

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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SARDORBEK
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Admit (to) Vs Confess (to)

Post 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…
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Joe
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Re: Admit (to) Vs Confess (to)

Post 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:
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