I started to recognize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to recognize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of becoming aware of or identifying something over time. Example: "As I spent more time in the city, I started to recognize familiar faces in the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

After about 20 minutes, the lightning bolt hit -- I started to recognize some of the character combinations.

The New York Times - Travel

I started to recognize the names of the studios responsible for my afternoon diversions: Hammer, Amicus, American International Pictures.

The New Yorker

"My mother bought me a subscription to a sheet-music magazine, and I started to recognize some of the same songs Lola had sung.

The New York Times

''I started to recognize that if there was not direct intervention by normal people, black space in the United States would not be saved,'' Gates says.

The New York Times

"It was just moving my hand, but to what purpose, you know?" During her senior year, she added, "I started to recognize what sort of role I played, what place I occupied in the world of white students.

The New Yorker

Just look: "I've lost 60 pounds eating a low-carbohydrate diet, you know, and exercise, and, um, in the last two, three years, as soon as I started to recognize the sugar thing, there have been no outbursts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

So all of a sudden I find myself in cultural situations where I start to recognize that even though two people are speaking English, there's a distinct cultural difference.

The New York Times

I start to recognize constellations for the first time in my life.

Huffington Post

This is where I start to recognize that my mother was a genius.

Huffington Post

What made a difference to me over the years was that unlike my assuming the starting point and burden of issue based photography, I had started to recognize my expectations from photography more clearly and, more importantly, the position that I wanted to take.

Vice

I'd started to recognize the inhabitants, the routes to the best coffee shops.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started to recognize" when you want to emphasize a gradual process of becoming aware of something. It suggests a change in perception or understanding over time.

Common error

Avoid using "I started to recognize" in every instance of gradual awareness. Sometimes, more concise options like "I noticed" or "I began to see" can be more effective and less repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to recognize" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a cognitive process. As per Ludwig, it's used to express the beginning of an awareness or familiarity with something. It describes the initial stage of identifying or understanding something over time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started to recognize" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing a gradual process of becoming aware or familiar with something. According to Ludwig, it's indeed correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is uncommon, and it's most often found in news and media sources. Alternatives include "I began to discern" or "I came to perceive", each with its own subtle nuance. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately conveying a gradual awareness rather than a sudden realization. Overuse should be avoided by using more concise synonyms where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began to discern

Replaces "started" with "began" and "recognize" with "discern", suggesting a gradual perception.

I came to perceive

Replaces "started to recognize" with "came to perceive", indicating a gradual development of perception.

I commenced to identify

Formally replaces "started" with "commenced" and "recognize" with "identify", implying a formal start to identification.

I became aware of

Emphasizes the growing awareness rather than the act of recognizing.

I grew to understand

Shifts the focus from recognition to understanding, suggesting a deeper comprehension over time.

I distinguished

Focuses on differentiating something from others, a more specific form of recognition.

I detected

Shortens the phrase to simply "detected", focusing on the act of noticing something.

I noticed

Offers a more general term for becoming aware, lacking the specific nuance of recognition.

I realized

Conveys a sudden understanding, unlike the gradual implication of "started to recognize".

I spotted

Indicates a quick or sudden recognition, differing from the gradual process implied by the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "I started to recognize" in a sentence?

You can use "I started to recognize" to describe a gradual realization or awareness. For example, "As I listened to more jazz, "I started to recognize" the different instruments and rhythms."

What's a more formal alternative to "I started to recognize"?

A more formal alternative could be "I began to discern". This option is suitable for professional or academic writing, where a higher level of formality is expected.

Is there a difference between "I started to recognize" and "I began to recognize"?

The difference is minimal. Both phrases convey a gradual recognition. "Began" may sound slightly more formal than "started", but they are largely interchangeable.

When is it better to use "I realized" instead of "I started to recognize"?

"I realized" implies a sudden understanding, while "I started to recognize" indicates a gradual awareness. Use "I realized" when the understanding happens quickly and suddenly. For example, "I realized I had left my keys at home" suggests an immediate understanding, whereas "I started to recognize that something was wrong" indicates a growing suspicion.