Acknowledges means to admits or recognizes the existence or validity of something; to show awareness or appreciation of a fact, situation, or the rights of others. In usage, it often marks formal recognition, acceptance, or confirmation, sometimes as a preface to further action or discussion. The sense ranges from acknowledging errors to acknowledging contributions, sometimes with a nuance of certitude or respect.
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"The board acknowledges the contributions of all staff to the project."
"She acknowledged receipt of the package with a brief email."
"He reluctantly acknowledges that his theory may be flawed."
"The policy acknowledges the diverse needs of the community."
Acknowledges derives from the verb acknowledge, which comes from Old English oncnawan ‘to know’ (from the combination of on- ‘in, on’ and cnawan ‘know’), evolving in Middle English with the mid-16th century addition of the suffix -ledge, linked to words like knowledge and acknowledge. Historically, the term recognized an act of knowledge or admission, often in response to a claim or request. In legal, formal, and academic registers, acknowledge has long served as a key label for accepting a statement, proof, or duty, such as acknowledging receipt of documents or acknowledging a debt. The modern form acknowledges (present tense third-person singular) emphasizes ongoing recognition, while its noun counterpart acknowledgement is common in British English; American usage tends to prefer acknowledgment in many formal contexts. First known uses appear in late medieval English, aligning with the broader development of
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "acknowledges" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "acknowledges"
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Pronunciation: /əkˈnɒl.ɪ.dʒɪz/ (US/UK/AU). Break it as a-CKNOW-ledge-iz, with primary stress on the second syllable: ə-KNOL-ij (reduced first syllable) and the final -s as /z/. The sequence -ledge is /lɪdʒ/ with a soft j sound; keep your tongue high behind the upper teeth for the /dʒ/ and release with air. Practice by saying: “uh-KNOL-ij-iz.”
Common mistakes: 1) Misplacing stress, saying /əˈnɒl.ɪdʒɪz/ with primary stress on the first syllable; fix by re-centering stress on the second syllable. 2) Slurring the /dʒ/ into a /d/ or /j/ sound, producing /ˈnɒl.ɪj/; ensure the /dʒ/ is a clear affricate. 3) Final /z/ blending into an /s/ or dropping the /ɪ/ vowel before the /z/; practice the schwa /ə/ in the second syllable and keep /ɪ/ before /dʒ/; use slow, precise articulation.
Across accents, main differences: US: /əkˈnɒl.ɪ.dʒɪz/ with clear rhoticity and strong /ɒ/ in the second syllable. UK: /əkˈnɒl.ɪ.dʒɪz/ similar but often slightly more clipped final /ɪz/; non-rhotic features are not prominent in most accents, so /r/ is silent. AU: /əkˈnɔl.ɪdʒɪz/ with a broader open back vowel /ɒ/ or /ɔl/ and possibly a more pronounced /ɪ/ before /dʒ/. The key is maintaining the /dʒ/ and final /z/.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /kn/ sequence and the /dʒ/ in the third syllable, plus the unstressed first syllable and the rapid transition to the mid vowel /ɒ/ before /l/. Coarticulation from /k/ to /n/ to /l/ can blur sounds; practice by isolating /ək/ and /nɒl/ then adding /ɪdʒɪz/. Secure the /dʒ/ as a single affricate rather than two separate sounds; maintain final /z/ voice.
There are no silent letters in acknowledges. The letters are pronounced in sequence: /ə/ (unstressed), /ˈnɒl/ (second syllable), /ɪ/ (reduced vowel in third), /dʒɪz/ (final syllable). The challenge is coordinating /kn/ blend and the /dʒ/ onset after /l/. Use careful tongue movement: the /k/ and /n/ occur close together, then the tongue releases into /l/, then onto /dʒ/ for /ɪdʒ/.
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