Agree vs. Acknowledge: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 23, 2024
Agree involves expressing concurrence or harmony with a statement or decision, while acknowledge means recognizing or admitting the existence or truth of something.
Key Differences
Agree means to share the same opinion or to consent to a proposal or idea. When you agree with someone, you are expressing a similar viewpoint or accepting their suggestion. For instance, if a friend suggests going to a movie and you think it’s a good idea, you agree with them. Acknowledge, on the other hand, means to recognize or accept the truth or existence of something. It does not necessarily imply agreement but rather an admission or recognition of a fact or situation. For example, if someone points out a mistake you made, acknowledging it means you accept that the mistake happened.
Agree often leads to a joint decision or action because it involves a mutual understanding or approval. When two parties agree, they are likely to proceed in a coordinated manner. For instance, agreeing on a meeting time ensures both parties will be there at the same time. Acknowledging something doesn't necessarily lead to a shared course of action; it merely involves accepting a reality or fact. For example, acknowledging a problem at work doesn’t solve it, but it’s the first step towards addressing it.
Agree is typically used in situations requiring consensus or unified action. It is an active form of engagement. For example, if team members agree on a strategy, they are committing to following that strategy. Acknowledge is more passive and is often used in contexts where recognition is required. It can be a precursor to further action but doesn't imply any immediate change or decision. For example, acknowledging someone's contribution in a project doesn't mean agreeing with all their methods.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To share the same opinion or consent
To recognize or admit the truth or existence
Usage Context
Requires consensus or unified action
Involves recognition or admission
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Outcome
Leads to coordinated action
May lead to recognition but not immediate action
Engagement Level
Active form of engagement
More passive recognition
Example
Agree on a meeting time
Acknowledge a problem at work
Agree and Acknowledge Definitions
Agree
To consent or concur.
We agreed to meet at noon.
Acknowledge
To admit the truth.
He acknowledged the mistake.
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Agree
To accept a suggestion.
She agreed to the proposal.
Acknowledge
To make known receipt.
The letter acknowledged the receipt of the documents.
Agree
To share an opinion or feeling; be in accord
I agree with you on that. We agree in our taste in music.
Acknowledge
To accept the validity.
The manager acknowledged the complaint.
Agree
To express consent; concur
We agreed to her suggestion.
Acknowledge
To express recognition.
They acknowledged her contributions.
Agree
To accept or support a policy or program
I agree with the flat tax.
Acknowledge
To admit the existence or truth of
The doctors acknowledged that the treatment had not been successful.
Agree
To come to an understanding or agreement, as by negotiating
We agreed on the price.
Acknowledge
To express recognition of; make notice of
"When he saw me acknowledge him, he smiled as if we were dear friends" (Angela Patrinos).
Agree
To be compatible or consistent
The copy agrees with the original. Your story agrees with mine.
Acknowledge
To express gratitude or appreciation for or to
Acknowledged the contributions of the volunteers.
Acknowledged her editor in the preface to the book.
Agree
To be suitable, appropriate, pleasing, or healthful
Spicy food does not agree with me.
Acknowledge
To report the receipt of (something) to the sender or giver
Acknowledge a letter.
Agree
(Grammar) To correspond in gender, number, case, or person.
Acknowledge
(Law) To accept or certify as legally binding
Acknowledge a deed of ownership.
Agree
To share an opinion about (something)
My doctor and I agree that I should quit smoking.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in
To acknowledge the being of a god
Agree
To grant or concede
My parents agreed that we should be allowed to go. I agreed to help my parents clean the house.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To own or recognize in a particular quality, character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
Agree
(intransitive) To be in harmony about an opinion, statement, or action; to have a consistent idea between two or more people.
All parties agree in the expediency of the law.
I mostly agree with what you said, but I consider your last point to be unfair.
I couldn't agree more with what you say.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To be grateful of (e.g. a benefit or a favour)
To acknowledge a favor
Agree
To give assent; to accede
To agree to an offer, or to opinion.
The workers didn not agree to the new terms offered by the trade union.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To report (the receipt of a message to its sender).
This is to acknowledge your kind invitation to participate in the upcoming debate.
Agree
To yield assent to; to approve.
Acknowledge
(transitive) To own as genuine or valid; to assent to (a legal instrument) to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form.
Agree
(intransitive) To make a stipulation by way of settling differences or determining a price; to exchange promises; to come to terms or to a common resolve; to promise.
Acknowledge
To own or admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a God.
I acknowledge my transgressions.
For ends generally acknowledged to be good.
Agree
(intransitive) To resemble; to coincide; to correspond.
The picture does not agree with the original; the two scales agree exactly.
Acknowledge
To own or recognize in a particular character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him.
By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee.
Agree
To suit or be adapted in its effects; to do well.
The same food does not agree with every constitution.
Acknowledge
To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter.
They his gifts acknowledged none.
Agree
To correspond to (another word) in a grammatical category, such as gender, number, case, or person.
In Romanian, all articles, adjectives, and pronouns agree in gender, number and case with the noun they refer to.
Acknowledge
To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed.
Agree
To consent to a contract or to an element of a contract.
Acknowledge
Declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of;
He admitted his errors
She acknowledged that she might have forgotten
Agree
To harmonize in opinion, statement, or action; to be in unison or concord; to be or become united or consistent; to concur; as, all parties agree in the expediency of the law.
If music and sweet poetry agree.
Their witness agreed not together.
The more you agree together, the less hurt can your enemies do you.
Acknowledge
Report the receipt of;
The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper
Agree
To yield assent; to accede; - followed by to; as, to agree to an offer, or to opinion.
Acknowledge
Express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with;
He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway
She acknowledged his complement with a smile
It is important to acknowledge the work of others in one's own writing
Agree
To make a stipulation by way of settling differences or determining a price; to exchange promises; to come to terms or to a common resolve; to promise.
Agree with thine adversary quickly.
Didst not thou agree with me for a penny ?
Acknowledge
Express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for;
We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us
Agree
To be conformable; to resemble; to coincide; to correspond; as, the picture does not agree with the original; the two scales agree exactly.
Acknowledge
Accept as legally binding and valid;
Acknowledge the deed
Agree
To suit or be adapted in its effects; to do well; as, the same food does not agree with every constitution.
Acknowledge
Accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority;
The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne
We do not recognize your gods
Agree
To correspond in gender, number, case, or person.
Acknowledge
To recognize the existence.
She acknowledged his presence with a nod.
Agree
To make harmonious; to reconcile or make friends.
Agree
To admit, or come to one mind concerning; to settle; to arrange; as, to agree the fact; to agree differences.
Agree
Be in accord; be in agreement;
We agreed on the terms of the settlement
I can't agree with you!
I hold with those who say life is sacred
Both philosophers concord on this point
Agree
Consent or assent to a condition, or agree to do something;
She agreed to all my conditions
He agreed to leave her alone
Agree
Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics;
The two stories don't agree in many details
The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
Agree
Go together;
The colors don't harmonize
Their ideas concorded
Agree
Show grammatical agreement;
Subjects and verbs must always agree in English
Agree
Be agreeable or suitable;
White wine doesn't agree with me
Agree
Achieve harmony of opinion, feeling, or purpose;
No two of my colleagues would agree on whom to elect chairman
Agree
To have the same opinion.
I agree with your assessment.
Agree
To be in harmony.
The colors of the room agree well.
Agree
To be of one mind.
They agree on the need for reform.
FAQs
Can you agree without acknowledging?
No, agreeing usually implies acknowledging the points first.
Can you agree to something without fully acknowledging its implications?
Yes, people can agree without fully understanding or acknowledging all details.
Can you acknowledge without agreeing?
Yes, you can recognize a fact without necessarily agreeing with it.
Is acknowledgment a form of agreement?
No, acknowledgment is recognition, while agreement involves concurrence.
Is acknowledging always a positive act?
Not necessarily; it can be neutral or even reluctant.
Does agreeing mean the same as accepting?
Not always; agreeing involves consent, whereas accepting can be more passive.
Does acknowledgment require verbal expression?
It can be verbal or non-verbal, like a nod or a written note.
Can you agree silently?
Yes, agreement can be shown through actions or silence.
Is acknowledgment necessary in all communications?
Not always, but it helps in clarifying recognition.
Does agreeing mean you are happy with the decision?
Not necessarily, you might agree out of necessity.
Can agreeing end a discussion?
Often, yes, as it shows consensus.
Is acknowledgment the same as confirmation?
Not exactly, acknowledgment is recognizing; confirmation is verifying.
Is it necessary to verbally agree?
Not always; agreement can be implied through actions.
Is agreeing always mutual?
Typically, yes, it involves at least two parties.
Can acknowledging be considered polite?
Yes, it often is a polite way to show awareness.
Can acknowledgment help in conflict resolution?
Yes, it can show understanding of different viewpoints.
Does acknowledging an email mean agreeing with its content?
No, it just means you have received and recognized the email.
Does agreeing mean supporting?
Yes, agreeing typically means you support the idea.
Is agreement always formal?
No, it can be informal as well.
Can acknowledgment be non-verbal?
Yes, such as a nod or a gesture.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
