acknowledgements
acknowledgements — noun
1. the act of openly stating or showing that you accept a fact, especially an unple
the act of openly stating or showing that you accept a fact, especially an unpleasant one, as being true or real.
Rania's acknowledgement that she had made a mistake helped the team move forward with a better plan.
acknowledgement + that-clause for accepting fault
The company issued a public acknowledgement that the product had a serious safety problem.
public acknowledgement + that-clause
Kasia nodded in acknowledgement of the criticism and promised to improve her work.
The politician's refusal to make any acknowledgement of the error damaged public trust.
A simple acknowledgement that the problem exists is the first step toward solving it.
- admission
stronger focus on accepting something negative or shameful
- confession
implies admitting something that was hidden or denied before
- concession
suggests reluctantly giving in to a point after resisting it
文法句型
acknowledgement of [something]
acknowledgement that [clause]
in acknowledgement of [something]
用法筆記
Often used for admitting something negative or difficult. The structure 'acknowledgement of + noun' is more common than 'acknowledgement that + clause' in informal contexts.
常見錯誤
2. public recognition, praise, or appreciation given to someone for their actions,
public recognition, praise, or appreciation given to someone for their actions, contributions, or achievements.
Meera received a special certificate in acknowledgement of ten years of volunteer work at the hospital.
in acknowledgement of [service]
The artist never expected any acknowledgement for the murals she painted around the neighbourhood.
Marta's contributions to the research project finally received the acknowledgement they deserved from the university board.
The community centre gave a warm acknowledgement to the volunteers who rebuilt the playground after the storm.
Jabari's acknowledgement by the national science association was a proud moment for his whole family.
- recognition
very close in meaning; often used interchangeably but slightly less formal
- credit
focuses on giving someone the proper respect for their role
- appreciation
emphasizes gratitude rather than public notice
文法句型
acknowledgement for [achievement or contribution]
in acknowledgement of [service or achievement]
receive acknowledgement
deserve acknowledgement
用法筆記
Frequently appears in formal contexts like award ceremonies, reports, and public speeches. 'Receive acknowledgement' is a common passive construction.
常見錯誤
3. a formal letter, email, or message confirming that a package, application, payme
a formal letter, email, or message confirming that a package, application, payment, or other item has arrived.
Hamza waited two weeks for an acknowledgement that the university had received his application.
acknowledgement + that-clause for receipt
The online store sends an automatic acknowledgement after every order is placed.
Vinícius printed the email acknowledgement and filed it with the other tax documents.
Please keep this letter as written acknowledgement that your insurance claim has been processed.
Without an acknowledgement from the landlord, Sari could not prove she had paid the rent.
- confirmation
broader term; can refer to verifying any information, not just receipt
- receipt
a document proving something was received, but less common for emails
- reply
more general; any response, not necessarily confirming receipt
文法句型
send an acknowledgement
receive an acknowledgement
acknowledgement that [clause]
written acknowledgement
acknowledgement of receipt
用法筆記
Common in business, legal, and administrative contexts. Unlike sense 1, this sense is always countable — you can say 'an acknowledgement' or 'acknowledgements' (multiple confirmation messages).
常見錯誤
4. a section, usually found near the front or the back of a published work, in whic
a section, usually found near the front or the back of a published work, in which the writer thanks the people and sources that helped create the text.
Noa wrote a heartfelt acknowledgements page thanking her professors and classmates for their support.
The author's acknowledgements ran three pages and mentioned everyone from her editor to her piano teacher.
Leo checked the acknowledgements section to see if the writer had credited the research team.
In the acknowledgements, Hamza thanked his family for their patience during the two years he spent writing the book.
Many readers turn to the acknowledgements first because they enjoy learning about the people behind a book.
文法句型
acknowledgements section
write acknowledgements
in the acknowledgements
用法筆記
Usually appears in plural form ('acknowledgements') even when referring to a single section. The singular 'acknowledgement' for this sense is very rare. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense refers to the actual text listing people, not the general concept of giving credit.