Recognize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Recognize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to acknowledge or identify something or someone. Example: "I can easily recognize her voice even in a crowded room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Guatemala needs to recognize on a national level the socio-economic inequality that sees it stumble at the very first of the UN Millennium Development Goals: to end extreme poverty and hunger.

The Guardian

"I like to think that I could recognize it in myself that I've lost it, but most of the time you don't," he told her. "I hope not to abuse the privilege of being one of the founders and therefore not being tapped on the shoulder when the time is right".

The Guardian - Money

In a similar way, DNN technology can detect patterns akin to the way biological systems recognize patterns.

The Guardian - Tech

Social conservatives' refusal to recognize that the policies they advocate have a direct negative impact on women's equal participation in society is the struggle's most infuriating aspect: If the they would only admit there's a war, we might be able to win it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We caveat this data – we have been for decades, cautioning individuals and organizations from drawing conclusions from it, because we recognize it is incomplete data, it is disparate data that leaves too many holes and gaps," Morris said.

The Guardian

"I think they recognize that they are people from California coming in, they don't understand the Congo context immediately and all the facts, but I think since they've come into Congo and CAR they've worked to make sure they don't move too quickly".

The Guardian

The World Hockey Association successfully lured a number of the NHL's best players with a public declaration that they would not recognize the NHL's reserve clause, nor would the WHA implement one of its own.

The Guardian - Sport

All because too many governments don't recognize feminine hygiene as a health issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perry took time to recognize each member of traveling troupe of veterans – even the singing opening act was a former Seal named Pete Scobell, of whom Perry joked: "If any of you have watched [the Tom Hanks film] about Captain Phillips in Somalia, he was a little involved at that, let's just leave at that".

The Guardian

"I recognize that this is a different world with different technologies, different issues and different threats.

The Guardian

"They're basically failing to recognize the humiliation that happened to me," she told the Guardian.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, ensure the context clearly defines what is being recognized to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The committee recognized the contributions of the volunteers."

Common error

Avoid using "Recognize" with abstract nouns when a more precise verb would be appropriate. Instead of "Recognize the importance," consider "Acknowledge the importance" or "Understand the significance."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Recognize" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being acknowledged or identified. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in a wide array of sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Recognize" functions as a transitive verb used to express acknowledgement, identification, or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's essential to choose the most precise verb to avoid ambiguity, especially when used with abstract nouns. Alternatives like "acknowledge", "identify", and "realize" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. By considering these insights, writers can effectively use "Recognize" and its alternatives to enhance clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Acknowledge

Focuses more on admitting the truth or existence of something.

Understand

Indicates comprehension of a concept or situation.

Identify

Emphasizes the ability to establish who or what something is.

Be aware of

Indicates a conscious knowledge or perception of something.

Distinguish

Highlights the ability to perceive differences between things.

Realize

Implies a sudden awareness or understanding.

Detect

Implies discovering something not easily noticed.

Perceive

Refers to becoming aware of something through the senses.

Discern

Suggests perceiving or recognizing something subtle.

Appreciate

Suggests valuing or understanding the significance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "Recognize" in a sentence?

"Recognize" can be used to acknowledge something you already know or to identify something. For example, "I "recognize" her from the photograph" or "The company "recognizes" the importance of employee well-being."

What can I say instead of "Recognize"?

You can use alternatives like "acknowledge", "identify", or "realize" depending on the specific context in which you are using the word.

What's the difference between "Recognize" and "Acknowledge"?

"Recognize" often implies a prior awareness or the ability to identify something, while "acknowledge" suggests an admission or acceptance of something, often something previously ignored or denied.

Is it correct to say "Recognize the importance of" or should I use another phrase?

While "Recognize the importance of" is grammatically correct and commonly used, you can also use phrases like "acknowledge the importance of" or "understand the significance of" for a slightly different emphasis.