Cool MateConfess vs Please don't deny it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Confess
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Please don't deny it
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Confess
| Confess | Please don't deny it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈfes/","/kənˈfesɪz/","/kənˈfest/","/kənˈfesɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈfes/","/kənˈfesɪz/","/kənˈfest/","/kənˈfesɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pliːz dəʊnt dɪˈnaɪ ɪt//🇺🇸 //pliz doʊnt dɪˈnaɪ ɪt// |
| Meaning | To admit that you did something wrong or bad. | Don't say something is not true. |
| Example | He decided to confess his feelings to her after months of keeping them a secret. | Everyone saw you at the party, so please don't deny it. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | freely, openly, publicly, have to, must, to, freely, openly, publicly, have to, must, to | deny the truth, deny responsibility, deny accusations, deny feelings, deny knowledge |
| Antonyms | deny, conceal | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'admit' — 'confess' implies wrongdoing., Using 'confess' without specifying what is being confessed., Incorrectly using 'confess' without the word 'to' before the object. | Confused with 'deny' vs 'refuse', Using in overly formal situations, Misplacing 'it' leading to confusion |
| Usage notes | Use 'confess' in serious or formal contexts, like admitting a crime or a mistake. It's usually not used in casual conversations about minor issues. | Used to request honesty or confirmation. Appropriate in both serious and casual conversations. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Confess vs Please don't deny it
What's the difference between Confess and Please don't deny it?
Confess: To admit that you did something wrong or bad. Please don't deny it: Don't say something is not true.
Which is more common: Confess and Please don't deny it?
Confess is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Confess: He decided to confess his feelings to her after months of keeping them a secret. Please don't deny it: Everyone saw you at the party, so please don't deny it.
Can I use Confess and Please don't deny it interchangeably?
Not always. Confess and Please don't deny it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.