acknowledge + noun or clause
Admitting or recognising something
The most common pattern uses a direct object.
He acknowledged his error
Acknowledge by, in, as, for, or at?
Acknowledge is usually followed directly by a noun clause or object. Some prepositions appear in specific meanings or separate phrases.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are used with acknowledge?
Acknowledge often takes no preposition: acknowledge a problem. Use acknowledge as to identify a role or status. Acknowledge for is uncommon and usually replaced by praise or thank for. By, in, and at often introduce method, context, or place rather than fixed complements.
The court acknowledged him as the owner
She acknowledged the mistake immediately
The discovery was acknowledged in the report
She acknowledged the mistake immediately
The discovery was acknowledged in the report
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
acknowledge someone as + role
Recognising status or identity
Use as before a title, role, or description.
They acknowledged her as a leader
acknowledge something in + context
Showing where recognition appears
In introduces a document, speech, or context.
The issue was acknowledged in the final statement
acknowledge someone by + action
Describing the method of recognition
By explains how recognition was expressed.
The school acknowledged the volunteers by presenting awards
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
acknowledge something
She acknowledged the problem.
Standard direct-object pattern.
acknowledge someone as something
The group acknowledged him as chairman.
Recognising a role or identity.
acknowledge someone for something
They thanked her for her support.
For is uncommon after acknowledge; other verbs are often more natural.
acknowledge something in a document
The error was acknowledged in the report.
In introduces context or location.
acknowledge at an event
She was acknowledged at the ceremony.
At introduces the event where recognition happened.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using for after acknowledge
Acknowledge rarely takes for directly.
✕ They acknowledged him for helping. ✓ They acknowledged his help.Forgetting the object
Acknowledge usually needs an object or clause.
✕ She acknowledged quickly. ✓ She acknowledged the mistake quickly.Confusing acknowledge as with acknowledge for
Use as for roles or identity.
✕ The court acknowledged him for the legal owner. ✓ The court acknowledged him as the legal owner.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The company acknowledged her ___ an expert.
2. The mistake was acknowledged ___ the report.
3. They acknowledged the staff ___ giving bonuses.
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Frequently asked questions
Does acknowledge need a preposition?
Usually no. English commonly says acknowledge a mistake or acknowledge a fact.
When do we use acknowledge as?
Use it to recognise a role, status, or identity.
Is acknowledge for natural English?
It is uncommon. Other verbs such as thank or praise are often more natural.
Related preposition guides
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