realized

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "realized" is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English and can be used in many different contexts.
For example: After speaking to his old teacher, John realized how important it was to work hard and stay dedicated to his studies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Had the bosses realized that they were in the transportation business, rather than the railroad business, they could have moved into trucking and air transport, rather than letting other companies dominate.

The Economist

"I realized there's so much I don't know about other cultures that are relevant to the things I do," said Ricardo Caceres, marketing director of sustainability at Coca-Cola.

The Guardian

I didn't tell anybody in my class or in my school that I was homeless and I don't think they realized the facts, because I was always in scrubs," she says.

The Guardian - Money

By the time Catlin and his fellow caddies realized their mistake, they had nowhere else to go.

The Guardian - Sport

Half a century on from a time when birth control was illegal and sex discrimination was the norm, many Americans might not have realized how far we've come.

The Guardian - Opinion

Working in the lab each day, trying to build better solar cells and brighter LEDs, I've realized that while MIT is fighting climate change with one hand, it is feeding it with the other - investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the fossil fuel industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some, like Dwayne Harms of Anamosa, Iowa, who wore a leather jacket over overalls and a hat stating he was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, hadn't realized the event had any political affiliations.

The Guardian

White said he checked the 10 tickets he had bought and realized he had nailed all six numbers on one of them.

The Guardian

"The US realized the process is on its last and most difficult leg," said Sergio Jaramillo, Colombia's peace commissioner and a member of the government negotiating team.

The Guardian

That really bothered me and moved me and I realized, at that moment, that I was going to become homeless".

The Guardian - Money

Apparently, electronics companies still haven't realized that Slow Chip + Balky Touch Screen = Consumer Buzzkill.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "realized", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean 'understood' or 'achieved', as the word can have both meanings.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "realized". If you are writing in the past tense, ensure the rest of your sentence and paragraph maintain consistency. For example, instead of writing 'I realized I will be late', write 'I realized I would be late'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "realized" is a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of "realize". Ludwig AI confirms it is used to indicate understanding, becoming aware of something, or achieving a goal. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, indicating both cognitive understanding and the completion of actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "realized" functions as a verb indicating either the comprehension of something or the achievement of a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and widespread across various contexts. It is commonly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business domains. The semantic spectrum, encompassing understanding and accomplishment, offers a rich resource for writers seeking precision in their expression. When utilizing "realized", consider the need for clarity to avoid ambiguity in intended meanings. "Realized" exhibits a neutral register that makes it suitable for a multitude of writing styles, from casual communication to professional discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understood

Emphasizes comprehension or awareness.

recognized

Highlights acknowledgment or identification.

achieved

Focuses on accomplishing a goal or objective.

attained

Similar to achieved, but often suggests a higher level of effort or difficulty.

accomplished

Implies successful completion or fulfillment.

materialized

Suggests becoming real or concrete.

manifested

Implies becoming apparent or visible.

became aware

Highlights the process of gaining knowledge or understanding.

came to understand

Emphasizes the process of developing comprehension over time.

grasped

Indicates a firm understanding or comprehension.

FAQs

How to use "realized" in a sentence?

"Realized" can be used to express understanding or achievement. For example, "I realized the importance of hard work" (understanding) or "The project's goals were realized" (achievement).

What can I say instead of "realized"?

You can use alternatives like "understood", "recognized", or "achieved" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "realized" or "realise"?

"Realized" is the past tense and past participle of "realize". "Realise" is the British English spelling of "realize". Both are correct, depending on the tense and regional spelling preferences.

What's the difference between "realized" and "recognized"?

"Realized" implies a sudden understanding or awareness, while "recognized" suggests acknowledgment or identification. For example, "I realized my mistake" (sudden understanding) vs. "I recognized her from the photo" (identification).