did not recognize her

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not recognize her" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone fails to identify or acknowledge another person, often due to lack of familiarity or awareness. Example: "When she walked into the room, he did not recognize her at first because she had changed so much over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

He did not recognize her face.

The New Yorker

She did not recognize her grandchildren.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her friend did not recognize her.

The New Yorker

I almost did not recognize her outside her minivan.

The New York Times

He did not recognize her, but she identified herself.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not recognize her, and she did not flinch.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

I didn't recognize her.

The New Yorker

"I hit on her online but didn't recognize her.

The New York Times

When she got home, she didn't recognize her mother.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ruth said, "I didn't recognize her voice.

The New Yorker

LOOKING at a three-dimensional model of her teeth, Sara McClure didn't recognize her smile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not recognize her" to clearly convey a lack of recognition, whether due to appearance, context, or memory. Ensure the sentence provides enough context for why the recognition failed.

Common error

Avoid using "did not recognize her" without specifying a reason. Instead of saying, "He did not recognize her", clarify with, "He did not recognize her because she had changed her hair color."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not recognize her" functions as a verb phrase expressing a failure of identification. Ludwig confirms that the expression is correct and can be used to describe scenarios where someone fails to identify another person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not recognize her" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a failure to identify a female individual. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and applicable in diverse contexts, as showed by the multiple examples found. While predominantly found in news and media, it appears across various domains, suggesting its versatility. When using this phrase, providing context about the reason for non-recognition enhances clarity. Consider alternatives like "failed to identify her" or "couldn't place her" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to identify her

Emphasizes the act of failing to make an identification.

wasn't able to recognise her

A more formal way of saying someone didn't recognize someone.

couldn't place her

Indicates an inability to remember where one knows someone from.

didn't know who she was

Highlights a lack of awareness of the person's identity.

failed to recall her

Focuses on the inability to bring her to mind.

had no recollection of her

Emphasizes a complete lack of memory.

mistook her for someone else

Suggests an incorrect identification.

didn't acknowledge her

Implies a deliberate lack of recognition or greeting.

was unfamiliar with her appearance

Highlights the lack of previous knowledge of her looks.

her appearance was unrecognizable

Focuses on the degree to which her appearance has changed.

FAQs

What does "did not recognize her" mean?

The phrase "did not recognize her" means that someone was unable to identify a specific female individual, either because of a change in appearance, unfamiliarity, or memory lapse.

What can I say instead of "did not recognize her"?

You can use alternatives like "failed to identify her", "couldn't place her", or "didn't know who she was" depending on the specific reason for the lack of recognition.

How to use "did not recognize her" in a sentence?

Example: "After many years, he returned home, but "he did not recognize her" because she had grown so much."

Is it correct to say "didn't recognized her"?

No, "didn't recognized her" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "did not recognize her" or "didn't recognize her", where 'recognize' is the base form of the verb.