had realised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had realised" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone became aware of something in the past before another past event. Example: "By the time she arrived at the meeting, she had realised that she forgot her presentation materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was also, they had realised, David Beckham.

The Guardian - Sport

Poignant indeed, but Harvey had realised his operatic vision.

The Guardian - Music

Pragmatists within the government had realised that Islamism was prolonging the civil war.

The Economist

One reason was that risk was more concentrated than anyone had realised.

The Economist

I had realised that Phil had frozen to death," he said.

Independent

At college in her mid-teens, Pinto had realised that theatre and literature were her "calling".

Independent

Energy giants like Gazprom and Lukoil are in much worse shape than people had realised.

The Economist

By the next year, the Izbickis had realised they had to get out.

The Guardian

We just must, because now there is even more at stake than some had realised.

The Guardian

But neither of us had realised quite how calamitous an effect it would have on Facebook.

The Guardian

But by the late 1970s, Feldman had realised he had to go further.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had realised" to clearly establish that an understanding occurred before another event in the past. This helps maintain a clear chronological order in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had realised" when referring to a present or future realization. This tense is specifically for past perfect actions. Ensure the surrounding sentences are also correctly tensed to match the past perfect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had realised" functions as the past perfect form of the verb 'realise', indicating an action of becoming aware or understanding that was completed before another action in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had realised" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a past perfect action of becoming aware or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using "had realised", ensure it accurately reflects a sequence of past events, with the realization occurring before another action. Remember to avoid using it in the present tense, as this would be grammatically incorrect. Consider alternatives such as "had become aware" or "had come to understand" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had become aware

Focuses on the process of becoming conscious or informed about something.

had come to understand

Implies a gradual process of gaining comprehension.

had recognized

Highlights the act of identifying something previously known but not acknowledged.

had grasped

Emphasizes a firm understanding or comprehension.

had perceived

Indicates an awareness gained through the senses or intuition.

had apprehended

Suggests a more formal or intellectual understanding.

had discerned

Implies careful observation leading to a realization.

had figured out

Conveys a sense of solving a problem or puzzle to reach understanding.

had worked out

Similar to 'figured out', but can also imply planning or arrangement.

had discovered

Highlights the finding or uncovering of new information.

FAQs

How do I use "had realised" correctly in a sentence?

Use "had realised" to indicate an action of becoming aware or understanding that was completed before another action in the past. For example, "She "had realised" her mistake before he pointed it out".

What are some alternatives to using "had realised"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "had become aware", "had come to understand", or "had recognized" instead of "had realised".

Is it correct to use "had realised" in present tense?

No, "had realised" is in the past perfect tense, used to describe an action completed before another past action. Using it in the present tense would be grammatically incorrect. Use "realise" or "realises" for present tense.

What is the difference between "had realised" and "realised"?

"Had realised" indicates an action completed before another point in the past, while "realised" (simple past) indicates an action that occurred at a specific point in the past. Example: "She "realised" she was late" vs. "She "had realised" she was late before the meeting started".