realise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'realise' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as a verb, either in the present tense (e.g. "I realise that I need more help") or in the past tense (e.g. "I realised that I had made a mistake").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they didn't realise that Rudd would never give up, the wounds would never heal and he would never go away.

The Guardian

What he failed to realise was that the British public are very gullible, and if you keep telling them something for long enough, there's a chance they'll believe it.

The Guardian - Books

We are now consulting regarding potential legal action and hoping against hope that the 12 libraries being thrown over to the community with the threat of volunteer-or-lose-it, will survive long enough for the future council members to realise their costly error and resume running this vital social and educational service.

The Guardian - Books

"I realise now, in retrospect," Sweeney writes, "that Mulan thought she and I were a couple".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I want people to realise how serious I am.

The Guardian - Music

Ashley Williams appeared amused by the incident, joking: "I've got my passport!" The Swansea defender added: "Most people did not realise anything was wrong until we were on the plane, he is touching down any moment I think.

The Guardian - Sport

But building on the green belt breaks that politicians' mantra: the losers shouldn't realise their fate.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And the erstwhile foreign pundits will soon realise that it is not 'game over for Mugabe' but a new game altogether, not only for Zimbabwe and its neighbours, but for Africa".

The Guardian

That idea of understanding users extends to Evernote's desire to be able to dig into your previous documents and those of your co-workers and ferret out knowledge that will be useful for whatever you're working on, before you realise that you might need it.

The Guardian - Tech

Yes or no?" Miliband was so dazed he didn't even realise it wasn't supposed to be him answering the questions.

The Guardian

Many migrants realise that the best thing to do is to slip through the net, to keep their options open.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "realise" to indicate a sudden awareness or understanding, particularly when something becomes clear after a period of confusion or uncertainty.

Common error

In British English, use the spelling "realise". The spelling "realize" is generally preferred in American English. Choose the spelling that aligns with your intended audience and context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "realise" is as a verb, indicating the act of understanding or becoming aware of something. Ludwig AI shows examples where "realise" is used to express sudden understanding or a gradual awakening to a fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "realise" functions as a verb meaning to understand or become aware of something. It is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage. When using "realise", remember that it's the standard spelling in British English, while "realize" is preferred in American English. Alternatives include "understand", "recognise" and "become aware of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Recognise

Implies acknowledging something already existing or known, similar to "realise" but with a slightly different emphasis.

Understand

A general term for comprehending something, less specific than "realise" but often interchangeable.

Become aware of

Focuses on the process of gaining awareness or understanding, rather than the moment of realization.

Grasp

Suggests a firm understanding or comprehension, often implying intellectual effort.

Become conscious of

Highlights the development of awareness of something, similar to "become aware of".

Comprehend

A more formal synonym for understand, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

Figure out

Implies solving a problem or discovering something through reasoning or investigation.

Appreciate

Implies a deeper understanding and valuing of something, beyond mere comprehension.

Ascertain

Suggests finding something out for certain, typically through investigation.

Fathom

Suggests understanding something complex or mysterious, often implying a challenge.

FAQs

How is "realise" typically used in a sentence?

"Realise" is used as a verb to express the act of becoming aware of something. For example, "I "realise now" that I was wrong" or "They need to "realise that" the situation is serious."

What's the difference between "realise" and "recognise"?

"Realise" means to become aware of something, while "recognise" means to identify something already known. You "realise the truth", but you "recognise a face".

What can I say instead of "realise"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "understand", "recognise", or "become aware of".

Which spelling is correct, "realise" or "realize"?

"Realise" is the standard spelling in British English, while "realize" is the standard spelling in American English. Choose the spelling appropriate for your audience.