They realized that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "They realized that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing a conclusion or understanding that a subject has come to after considering information or events. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, they realized that their initial assumptions were incorrect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But as they gained experience in different countries, they realized that was not the best strategy.

The New York Times

But within a few years, they realized that wasn't enough.

Forbes

They realized that they were negligible.

The New Yorker

"They realized that more than sympathy was required".

The New York Times

They realized that they needed their dead buddy's help.

The New York Times

They realized that American history isn't something that happened.

The New York Times

"They realized that I had a lot of emotional problems to work out," she said.

The New Yorker

They realized that with rentals of the caliber they were seeking, rents were often not negotiable.

The New York Times

They realized that Beliefnet was perhaps more successful as a community than as a magazine.

The New York Times

They realized that 50 officers, moving together aggressively, could chase off 500 troublemakers lacking any organization.

The New York Times

They realized that the four clones they had generated happened by chance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "They realized that" to clearly indicate a shift in understanding or awareness. It's effective for narrative and analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "They realized that" excessively in simple narratives. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "They realized that" functions as a clause introducer, connecting a subject ("they") to a realization or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It introduces a subordinate clause that explains the content of their realization. Examples show its use in describing shifts in understanding across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "They realized that" is a grammatically correct and widely used construction to introduce a shift in understanding or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its frequency is high, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, avoid overuse in simplistic narratives. Alternatives like "they understood that" or "it dawned on them that" can provide nuanced alternatives. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for various writing styles and audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

They understood that

A more direct and simple way of expressing comprehension.

They became aware that

Highlights the state of being conscious or informed.

They recognized that

Implies acknowledgment of something previously unknown or ignored.

It dawned on them that

Emphasizes a gradual realization or understanding.

It became clear to them that

Focuses on the clarity and obviousness of the realization.

They discovered that

Emphasizes finding out something new or unexpected.

They came to the conclusion that

Highlights the process of reaching a decision or judgment.

They perceived that

Suggests a more subtle or insightful understanding.

They figured out that

An informal way of saying they solved or understood something.

They ascertained that

Indicates a formal or investigative process of finding something out.

FAQs

How can I use "They realized that" in a sentence?

"They realized that" introduces a clause explaining what someone understood after a period of consideration or experience. For example: "After analyzing the data, "they realized that" their initial hypothesis was incorrect".

What are some alternatives to "They realized that"?

Alternatives include "they understood that", "it dawned on them that", or "they came to the conclusion that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a more formal way to say "They realized that"?

Yes, a more formal alternative is "they ascertained that". This implies a more careful or investigative process of discovery.

What's the difference between "They realized that" and "They knew that"?

"They realized that" suggests a moment of understanding or a change in perception, whereas "They knew that" implies pre-existing knowledge. For example, "They realized that the project was failing" implies they came to this understanding, while "They knew that the project was failing" suggests they were aware of it all along.