Wording help please?

Question

Hi,Could you please check for me if my wordings are correct,The differences between "acknowledge" and "recognize" is former is more general word, later is more formal, higher-register. However both word mean "accept and admit"UK has refused to [ acknowledge / recognize ] this new regime. (accept and admit)He is the worldwide  [ acknowledged / recognized ] to be the best musician.Drugs ware not  [ acknowledged / recognized ] to be the problem at 1950 then.We all  [ acknowledge / recognize ] that task to erase the drugs are not easy.This concept is generally  [ acknowledged / recognized ] to be true.He refuse to [ acknowledge / recognize ] his fault.Thanks in advanceJohn Aki

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

John AkiThe difference between "acknowledge" and "recognize" is that the former is a more general word while the latter is more formal and higher-register. However, both words mean "accept and admit".

I would not say that they are so different in register. If anything 'recognize' is a little lower in register, but they are about the same.

The UK has refused to [ acknowledge / recognize ] this new regime. (accept and admit) OK. More often 'recognize' in this context.

He is ~~the worldwide~~ [ acknowledged / recognized ] to be the best musician in the world.

Drugs were not [ acknowledged / recognized ] ~~to be the~~ as a problem ~~at 1950 then.~~ in the 1950s.

We all [ acknowledge / recognize ] ~~that task to erase the drugs are not easy.~~ that the task of eliminating illegal drugs is not easy.

This concept is generally [ acknowledged / recognized ] to be true. OK.

He refuses to [ acknowledge / recognize ] his [mistake / faults].

There is a lot of overlap in the meanings of these two words. Here are more examples for you.

RECOGNIZE

Know the identity of someone

Katie didn't recognize David in his Halloween costume.
Julie had been away for 20 years, so when she returned, her friends didn't recognize her.

Officially mention to congratulate and show appreciation

The award is designed to recognize improvement relative to expected performance.
The Lafler Book Prize endeavors to recognize forgotten works of literature.

Admit

We recognize that we missed the opportunity to engage with the online community.
It is important to recognize that higher education is not for everyone.

In international relations

Egypt was the first Arab nation to recognize Israel more than three decades ago.

____________

ACKNOWLEDGE

Admit

This legal settlement doesn't require us to acknowledge fault or liability.
Some automakers even acknowledge that they can hit the higher efficiency target.
Budget officials acknowledge that the new fees would raise health care costs.

Accept the presence or existence of (usually with negative polarity)

James refuses to acknowledge the illness of his younger son, Edmund.
Competing teams sharing the same tours barely acknowledge each other's presence.
He left the courthouse with a man and a woman who did not acknowledge reporters.

Give credit to or for

I am proud of this work, but I must acknowledge the work done by others as well.
There are a lot of people in this audience that I would like to acknowledge.
The authors acknowledge the support of the Maryland NanoCenter.

CJ

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