realize the gravity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "realize the gravity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the seriousness or importance of a situation or issue. Example: "It took a while for the team to realize the gravity of the situation before making a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

At Stewart, Mark Lyttle seemed to begin to realize the gravity of his situation.

The New Yorker

"He doesn't seem to realize the gravity of what he's done.

The New York Times

In the statement that angered Mr. Lowery the most, Ms. White wrote: "As I've grown up, I've come to realize the gravity of what file-sharing means to the musicians I love.

The New York Times

The agency board will not report Iran to the Security Council before November, and senior administration officials said they hoped Iran would realize the gravity of its situation before then and reconsider its hard-line view on its nuclear program.

The New York Times

The government and citizens of Egypt have started to realize the gravity of the environmental hazards.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

At that point, suspects may first realize the gravity of the charges against them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

When the brief recording ended, Mr. Gensler realized the gravity of the wrongdoing.

The New York Times

After realizing the gravity of what had happened, he switched to the Cartoon Network.

The New York Times

Randy Levine, the Yankees' president, said: "I realized the gravity of what was going on.

The New York Times

Shortly after realizing the gravity of my words taken out of context, I removed my comments.

The Guardian

But soon after the words had crossed her lips in early 2000, she realized the gravity of her offer.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "realize the gravity" when you want to emphasize that someone is coming to a full understanding of the serious implications of a situation, especially one that was previously underestimated.

Common error

While "realize the gravity" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. In such cases, consider using simpler phrases like "understand the seriousness" or "see how important it is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "realize the gravity" functions as a verb phrase, where "realize" is the main verb indicating a cognitive process and "the gravity" acts as the direct object, specifying what is being realized. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "realize the gravity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey the understanding of a serious or important situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and avoid overusing it in informal settings, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The authoritative sources and usage examples from Ludwig show its consistent application in conveying a shift in awareness or the acknowledgment of significant consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand the seriousness

Emphasizes comprehension of the serious nature of something, differing slightly in focus from grasping the full implications.

grasp the significance

Highlights the recognition of importance or consequence, shifting the emphasis from the weight of the situation.

appreciate the magnitude

Focuses on understanding the scale or extent of something, instead of its severity.

recognize the importance

Stresses the acknowledgment of value or relevance, slightly differing from fully grasping the severity.

comprehend the severity

Highlights a thorough understanding of how critical or harsh a situation is.

become aware of the implications

Focuses on recognizing the potential consequences or effects, instead of the situation itself.

fathom the depth

Emphasizes understanding the complexity or profundity, changing the focus from seriousness.

perceive the weight

Focuses on sensing the burden or pressure, rather than fully understanding the implications.

understand the repercussions

Highlights understanding the consequences of an action or event.

take seriously

This is a more concise way to say that someone acknowledges the weight of a situation, but is less expressive than "realize the gravity".

FAQs

What does it mean to "realize the gravity" of a situation?

To "realize the gravity" of a situation means to fully understand the seriousness, importance, and potential consequences involved. It suggests a moment of realization or awakening to the full implications of something.

How can I use "realize the gravity" in a sentence?

You can use "realize the gravity" to describe when someone understands the seriousness of a situation. For example: "At that point, suspects may first "realize the gravity" of the charges against them."

What can I say instead of "realize the gravity"?

You can use alternatives like "understand the seriousness", "grasp the significance", or "appreciate the magnitude" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "realize the gravity" or "understand the gravity"?

Both "realize the gravity" and "understand the gravity" are acceptable. "Realize the gravity" suggests a moment of dawning comprehension, while "understand the gravity" implies a more general understanding of the seriousness.