"confess to doing something" / "confess to having done something

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6402677.stm
They say he confessed to having stolen $38,000 over many months from Terr’Ativa.

lawgazette.co.uk/news/solici … 00-clients
A sole practitioner from north-west London has been jailed for two years after he confessed to stealing more than £850,000 from clients.

[b]- confess to having done something

  • confess to doing something[/b]
    Are both correct, and do they mean the same thing?

2

Yes.

3

Hi Tofu,

Did you know that a picture uses up almost a thousand times more memory than text? Why do you keep posting images when they aren’t really necessary? It doesn’t make your post any more beautiful or informative either. I don’t mean to offend you, just thought of letting you know in case you didn’t.

4

Hi Daemon,

Well said.

Alan

5

SORRY,

But there is also a third version: mere “confess” smth

Coul you explain difference? When should we use confess with to and when without?

best regards

6

There really is no firm difference, except for the fact that “confess” is usually used without “to” where something is not objectively negative.

He confessed his attraction to her.
He confessed his love for her.
He confessed his admiration for him.

7

Thank you, Alan and Mordant.

8

It’s a discovery for me!

THANKS