it recognizes itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it recognizes itself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where a subject or entity is aware of its own identity or existence. Example: "In the mirror, the cat seemed to pause, as if it recognizes itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It recognizes itself in the other.

The New York Times - Books

And the audience may wonder: How charming can charm be when it recognizes itself?

The New Yorker

Finally, it recognizes itself as the bearer of an uninterrupted living tradition of true Christianity that is expressed in its worship, in the lives of the saints, and in the faith of the whole people of God.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If the animal touches the marks, acknowledging their presence on its face, it is concluded that it has passed the test and thereby verifies the observations that suggested that it recognizes itself in the mirror [1] and, therefore, is self-aware [3].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's the ATL, the code for the teeming airport that is a fitting emblem for a city so transient it barely recognizes itself, where more than half the adult population is from somewhere else, and where every urban fad, from underground parking to savory ice cream, is embraced.

The New York Times

Reflection is always secondary, that is, it must recognize itself as founded on a pre-reflective experience of Being that cannot be assimilated, employing the felicitous phrase of Adorno, "without remainder".

SEP

Fichte's transcendental account of natural right proceeds from the general principle that the I must posit itself as an individual in order to posit itself at all, and that in order to posit itself as an individual it must recognize itself as "summoned" or "solicited" by another free individual summoned, that is, to limit its own freedom out of respect for that of the freedom of the other.

SEP

By using e.g. RFID-labels, it recognizes its destination within the logistic system by itself.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

It may no longer have recognized itself.

The New Yorker

"That old house won't recognize itself, will it?" Phillips said, with a warm hooting laugh.

The New Yorker

Our system learns the style and font from the document itself and then it recognizes the remaining characters in the document.

Image and Vision Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it recognizes itself" when describing a system, entity, or concept becoming aware of its own identity, qualities, or state. For example, "The algorithm improves as it recognizes itself in the data patterns."

Common error

Avoid using "it recognizes itself" when referring to inanimate objects without a clear context of personification or abstract representation. Saying "The car recognizes itself in the reflection" might be confusing unless you are intentionally giving the car human-like qualities. Instead, consider phrases like "the car's reflection is visible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it recognizes itself" functions as a clause where "it" is the subject, "recognizes" is the verb (action), and "itself" is a reflexive pronoun referring back to the subject. As Ludwig AI shows, this reflexive construction indicates self-awareness or self-identification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it recognizes itself" signifies a subject's awareness and understanding of its own identity or characteristics. Grammatically correct, it functions as a clause employing a reflexive pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, although examples are relatively rare. The phrase appears across news, science, and encyclopedic sources, maintaining a generally neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure the subject logically possesses the capacity for self-awareness or personification. Consider alternatives like "it is aware of itself" or "it acknowledges its own identity" to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is aware of itself

Focuses on the state of being conscious of one's own existence or identity, shifting from recognition to awareness.

it acknowledges its own identity

Emphasizes the acceptance and confirmation of one's own self, changing the verb to "acknowledges" for a stronger affirmation.

it perceives its own nature

Highlights the understanding and insight into one's inherent qualities, substituting "recognizes" with "perceives" for a deeper comprehension.

it is conscious of its being

Stresses the sentience and self-awareness of existence, altering the structure to focus on consciousness.

it understands its own self

Emphasizes comprehension of one's own identity, replacing "recognizes" with "understands" for clarity.

it sees itself for what it is

Focuses on unbiased self-assessment, adding a qualifier to emphasize honesty in self-perception.

it is cognizant of itself

Uses a more formal term, "cognizant", to indicate awareness, altering the tone and register.

it identifies with itself

Highlights the alignment and connection with one's own identity, shifting the meaning towards self-identification.

it appreciates its own value

Focuses on understanding and valuing one's own worth, changing the emphasis to self-appreciation.

it knows itself intimately

Emphasizes a deep and personal understanding of one's own self, adding the adverb "intimately" for depth.

FAQs

What does "it recognizes itself" mean?

The phrase "it recognizes itself" implies that a subject (often an entity, system, or concept) becomes aware of or acknowledges its own identity, characteristics, or state. It suggests a level of self-awareness or self-understanding.

How can I use "it recognizes itself" in a sentence?

You can use "it recognizes itself" to describe something gaining awareness of its own identity or properties. For example: "As the AI evolved, "it recognizes itself" in the data patterns" or "The company restructured when "it recognizes itself" as outdated."

What are some alternatives to "it recognizes itself"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is aware of itself", "it acknowledges its own identity", or "it perceives its own nature". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it recognizes itself" formal or informal?

The phrase "it recognizes itself" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding text and the overall tone of the writing.