to deny
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to deny
To claim that a statement or accusation is not true. It is an active denial of a fact or an accusation.
Der Angeklagte stritt ab, zur Tatzeit am Tatort gewesen zu sein.
The defendant denied having been at the crime scene at the time of the offense.
'Abstreiten' (to deny) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' is placed at the end of the sentence in a main clause. The verb is irregular ('stritt ab', 'hat abgestritten').
Er streitet den Vorwurf vehement ab.
He vehemently denies the accusation.
The two meanings have different sentence patterns. 'Etwas (Akkusativ) abstreiten' (to deny something, accusative) means to deny a fact. 'Jemandem (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) abstreiten' (to deny someone something) means not to grant someone a right or ability.
Sie streitet ab, das Geld genommen zu haben.
She denies having taken the money.
In the meaning 'leugnen' (to deny), 'abstreiten' (to deny) is very often combined with a 'dass' clause or an infinitive construction with 'zu'.
Der Politiker stritt ab, dass er von dem Skandal wusste.
The politician denied that he knew about the scandal.
Common combinations are: 'die Vorwürfe abstreiten' (to deny the accusations), 'die Tat abstreiten' (to deny the act/crime), 'jegliche Verantwortung abstreiten' (to deny any responsibility), or 'seine Beteiligung abstreiten' (to deny one's involvement).
Der Verdächtige streitet jede Beteiligung an dem Verbrechen ab.
The suspect denies any involvement in the crime.
to recognize / acknowledge
'anerkennen' and 'abstreiten' are opposites when it comes to truth or responsibility. With 'anerkennen', you admit that something is true or exists, even if it may be unpleasant for you. With 'abstreiten', you actively say that a statement or accusation is not true. So 'anerkennen' fits when someone accepts a fact. 'abstreiten' fits when someone rejects a fact or blame.
Der Fahrer streitet ab, bei Rot über die Ampel gefahren zu sein.
The driver denies having driven through the red light.
Nach dem Gespräch erkannte Paul an, dass er einen Fehler gemacht hatte.
After the conversation, Paul acknowledged that he had made a mistake.