I remember writing my first thesis and staring at the page for the acknowledgements section. I paused, thinking, should I write “acknowledgement” or “acknowledgment”?
That tiny spelling difference suddenly felt huge. I know I’m not alone—many people face this confusion in emails, legal documents, research papers, or even casual letters.
People search for acknowledgement or acknowledgment because they want to use the correct spelling in professional and academic contexts.
This article clears up the confusion completely. You’ll learn the meaning, proper spelling for British and American English, examples for research and legal documents, plural forms, and even sample sentences for your thesis or letters.
By the end, you’ll confidently choose the right form every time.
Quick Answer
- Acknowledgement ✅ → British English
- Acknowledgment ✅ → American English
Meaning: Recognition, acceptance, or formal declaration of something.
Examples:
- British: Please send an acknowledgement of receipt. ✅
- American: We received your acknowledgment of payment. ✅
- ❌ Mixing forms in one document is incorrect.
The Origin of Acknowledgement and Acknowledgment
Both words come from Middle English:
- Root: acknowlechen, meaning “to admit or recognize.”
- British English added the extra “e” → acknowledgement.
- American English simplified it → acknowledgment.
The spelling difference exists solely due to regional conventions. Both forms are correct; only your audience or style guide determines which to use.
British English vs American English Spelling
| Feature | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | Acknowledgement | Acknowledgment |
| Extra “e” | Yes | No |
| Usage | UK, Commonwealth countries, formal letters, academic papers | US, Canada, legal documents, professional writing |
| Pronunciation | /əkˈnɒl.ɪdʒ.mənt/ | /əkˈnɑː.lɪdʒ.mənt/ |
Tip: Stay consistent within a document. Don’t mix the two forms.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
- UK/Commonwealth audience: acknowledgement
- US audience: acknowledgment
- Academic thesis/research: Follow the institution’s preferred style guide.
- Legal documents: Use the form required by your jurisdiction.
Consistency is more important than choosing one over the other.
Common Mistakes with Acknowledgement and Acknowledgment
- ❌ Mixing British and American spellings in a single document
- ❌ Using the verb “acknowledge” when a noun is required
- ❌ Forgetting plural forms when acknowledging multiple items
Correct examples:
- British: The researcher included an acknowledgement section in the thesis.
- American: The lawyer sent an acknowledgment of receipt.
- Plural: Multiple acknowledgements were given to the contributors.
Acknowledgement or Acknowledgment in Everyday Examples
Legal Documents
- The acknowledgment of the contract was signed by both parties.
- The UK court required a formal acknowledgement of service.
Academic Thesis / Research
- The acknowledgement section thanked all supervisors and contributors.
- Proper acknowledgments in research papers enhance credibility.
Emails & Letters
- Please confirm receipt with an acknowledgment.
- I would like to express my sincere acknowledgement for your support.
Sample Acknowledgements / Acknowledgment Examples
Thesis Example
I would like to express my sincere acknowledgement to my supervisor, Dr. Smith, for her guidance throughout this research.
Email Example
Thank you for your submission. Your acknowledgment has been received.
Research Paper Example
The author extends acknowledgements to all participants who contributed to the study.
Plural Forms
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement | Acknowledgements |
| Acknowledgment | Acknowledgments |
- Use plural when referring to multiple recognitions, contributors, or formal statements.
How to Use Acknowledgement / Acknowledgment Correctly
Grammar & Spelling
- Noun only: The verb form is acknowledge.
- Plural forms: Acknowledgements / Acknowledgments
- Consistency: Stick to British or American spelling throughout a document.
Usage Tips
- Thesis / Research: Include a formal acknowledgement section for supervisors, funding agencies, or contributors.
- Legal Documents: Use acknowledgment for receipts, contracts, or signed notices.
- Emails / Letters: Short acknowledgment sentences like “We confirm receipt of your document” work perfectly.
Google Trends & Usage Data
Searches for acknowledgement or acknowledgment come mainly from:
- Students (for thesis or research)
- Professionals (emails, reports, legal documents)
- Writers and editors
Common user questions:
- Acknowledgement sample
- Acknowledgement in research
- Acknowledgement legal
- Acknowledgement plural
- Acknowledgement British spelling
This shows high educational and professional intent: users want guidance, examples, and proper usage rules.
Comparison Table: Acknowledgement vs Acknowledgment
| Feature | Acknowledgement | Acknowledgment |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | British | American |
| Extra “e” | Yes | No |
| Meaning | Recognition, acceptance, or formal declaration | Same |
| Use Cases | UK letters, thesis, academic papers, formal writing | US emails, legal documents, reports |
| Plural | Acknowledgements | Acknowledgments |
FAQs
- Which is correct: acknowledgement or acknowledgment?
- Both are correct. British English uses acknowledgement, American English uses acknowledgment.
- Can I use it in a thesis or research paper?
- Yes, include an acknowledgement section to thank supervisors and contributors.
- What is the plural form?
- British: acknowledgements
- American: acknowledgments
- Can I use it in legal documents?
- Yes, American documents use acknowledgment, British documents use acknowledgement.
- Is there a difference in meaning?
- No, both words mean the same; only spelling differs by region.
- Any sample sentence?
- Email: “Thank you for your submission. Your acknowledgment has been received.”
- Thesis: “I express my sincere acknowledgement to all who helped me.”
- Tips to remember spelling?
- Extra “e” → British spelling, No extra “e” → American spelling.
Conclusion
The confusion between acknowledgement and acknowledgment is common but easy to resolve. Both words are correct and mean the same thing: recognition, acceptance, or formal declaration.
The difference lies purely in regional spelling—British English uses acknowledgement, American English uses acknowledgment.
Whether you are writing a thesis, research paper, legal document, or professional email, knowing which form to use ensures clarity and credibility.
Plural forms and examples in emails, research, and letters help you apply the word correctly. Always stay consistent within a document and follow your audience’s preferred style.
Final verdict: Use acknowledgement for UK/British audiences and acknowledgment for US/American audiences. Master this small but important detail, and your writing will look professional and polished.
Mark Nichol is a professional writer and grammar-focused content creator at Grammiffy, where he explains English usage, punctuation, and common writing mistakes in a clear and practical way.
With a reader-friendly approach, Mark helps digital learners improve sentence structure and everyday writing skills with confidence.
