Acknowledgment

An explicit recognition of a fact, contribution, feeling, or person's value.

Reach for it when making sure something important is noticed and named

A brief acknowledgment of the volunteers made the final report more complete.

• everyday

  mention

  brief inclusion in speech or writing is sufficient

  not when Merely naming someone can fall short of recognizing their value.

• everyday

  thanks

  gratitude should be direct and personal

  not when Thanks expresses appreciation but may not identify what was recognized.

• warm

  recognition

  someone's value or achievement receives positive notice

  not when Recognition can be private awareness without any outward expression.

• warm

  validation

  a person's experience or feeling needs to be affirmed

  not when Validation can imply agreement when acknowledgment only requires listening.

• professional

  citation

  a source or formal contribution must be documented

  not when Citation is too narrow for spoken gratitude or emotional recognition.

• professional

  credit

  authorship or contribution must be attributed accurately

  not when Credit sounds transactional when the need is emotional validation.

• formal

  admission

  a previously disputed fact is accepted

  not when Admission often suggests reluctance or fault rather than generous recognition.

• denial
• neglect
• dismissal

• formal acknowledgment

  The report includes a formal acknowledgment of the community translators.

• receive acknowledgment

  Behind-the-scenes staff rarely receive acknowledgment for the event's success.

• acknowledgment of support

  Her acknowledgment of support named each partner's specific contribution.