I realize about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I realize about' is not correct and usable in written English.
To use it correctly the phrase should be 'I realize', or 'I'm realizing'. For example, "I'm realizing the importance of budgeting for my future."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I realize about now that most of the projects I started when the snow melted last spring either need finishing before the snow falls or can never really be completed, like cleaning the barn.

The New York Times

One of the first things I realize about Blanchett is that she is a very unsuperficial person.

The New York Times - Magazine

SIgn up forealizeest of VICE, delivered to your inbox dabout

Vice

The first thing I realize about grad school is that it's not like a strip club: There is no saying "fuck you" to a patronizing middle aged man who tries to tell me what to do and still waltzing across town and clearing a grand at another club by the end of the night.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I realized about a year ago that, at some point, I got out of the business of telling stories.

The New York Times

And then I realized about eight months later that I'd picked the wrong team".

The New York Times

"I realized about halfway through that season that I needed to change.

The New York Times

"When we were writing the pilot, I realized about 75percentt of the staff was women," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

What I realized about blogging is you're not going to read a blog about gadgets unless you're really interested in gadgets.

The New Yorker

I realized about 10 minutes into it that the only way to survive was a complete suspension of my ironic hipster self.

The New York Times

"The first thing I realized about him that I didn't know was that he's got great talent with both hands around the basket," Walsh said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "I realize" or "I'm realizing" instead of "I realize about". The word "about" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context. For example, "I realize I need to study more" is correct, while "I realize about I need to study more" is not.

Common error

A common mistake is adding "about" after "realize", likely influenced by similar phrases like "think about" or "know about". To avoid this, remember that "realize" directly takes the object of realization without needing a preposition. Instead of saying, "I realize about the problem", say "I realize the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I realize about" functions as part of a sentence where the speaker intends to express a realization or understanding. However, it is grammatically incorrect as "realize" does not require the preposition "about". As Ludwig AI states, the correct phrase is "I realize".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I realize about" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is simply "I realize". Although examples can be found in various sources, including news and media outlets, this does not legitimize the error. The intention is clear: to express understanding or awareness, but the execution is flawed. As Ludwig AI points out, "realize" directly takes an object without needing the preposition "about". Therefore, it is recommended to use alternatives such as "I realize", "I understand", or "I'm realizing" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I realize

Omits the unnecessary 'about', resulting in a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrasing.

I understand

Replaces "realize" with a synonym that conveys a similar meaning of comprehension, avoiding the grammatical error.

I'm realizing

Uses the present continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing process of understanding, while still being grammatically correct.

I came to realize

Emphasizes the process of arriving at a realization over time.

I've come to realize

Highlights a realization that has developed over a period of time, using the present perfect tense.

It dawned on me

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a sudden realization.

I recognize

Offers a more formal synonym for "realize", maintaining grammatical accuracy.

I now see

Uses a simpler phrase to express understanding or realization.

I am aware

Emphasizes the state of being conscious or informed about something.

I have learned

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge or understanding.

FAQs

Why is "I realize about" considered grammatically incorrect?

The verb "realize" directly takes an object without needing a preposition like "about". The correct usage is simply "I realize [something]".

What are some alternatives to "I realize about"?

Better alternatives include "I realize", "I understand", or "I'm realizing", depending on the specific context.

How can I correctly use the verb "realize" in a sentence?

Use "realize" followed directly by the object of your realization. For example, "I realize the importance of this task" is correct.

Is there a situation where using "about" after a verb like "realize" is correct?

While "I realize about" is incorrect, phrases like "think about" or "know about" correctly use "about" as the preposition is necessary for those verbs to function properly.