realizing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "realizing that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express understanding of something or recognize the truth of a situation. For example, "Realizing that he was running late, he called a cab to get to the meeting on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Realizing that Mme.

The New Yorker

Realizing that Britten was exceptional, Bridge became a mentor.

The New York Times - Arts

He stopped, realizing that sounded grandiose, or at least corny.

The New York Times - Science

Lois: Realizing that marriage is not all sunshine.

The New York Times

He's a single father now and is realizing that role.

The New York Times - Arts

Not realizing that is clueless.

Huffington Post

"Fuck," Chandra mutters, realizing that rather late.

Vice

Realizing that is half the battle.

Huffington Post

Realizing that Eddie just visited Nelligan, Mulder searches for him.

Wikipedia

Information is a means to realizing that right.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Realizing that, you can forgive Nana the lie.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "realizing that" to clearly signal a shift in understanding or awareness, making the connection between a previous state and a new insight explicit.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "realizing that", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative phrases or incorporating the realization into the main clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "realizing that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that explains the reason or cause behind an action or a state of mind. It connects a dependent clause expressing awareness to an independent clause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

14%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "realizing that" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a clause explaining a newfound understanding or awareness. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's frequently found in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure you're clearly signaling a shift in understanding and avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Consider alternatives like "becoming aware that" or "understanding that" for nuanced expression. Its role is to connect a moment of understanding with subsequent actions or decisions, as confirmed by example sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizing that

Highlights the act of identifying or acknowledging something as true or valid.

understanding that

Focuses on comprehension and grasping the meaning of something.

it became clear that

Indicates that something was previously unclear but has now become evident.

becoming aware that

Emphasizes the process of gaining awareness rather than the moment of realization.

after understanding that

Highlights the temporality of an action happening after the fact.

coming to the conclusion that

Suggests a more deliberate and reasoned process of arriving at a realization.

with the understanding that

Highlights the condition of having a clear understanding before proceeding.

upon understanding that

Indicates an immediate reaction following understanding.

it dawned on me that

Implies a sudden or gradual realization.

in light of the fact that

Introduces a realization based on presented evidence or information.

FAQs

How can I use "realizing that" in a sentence?

"Realizing that" introduces a clause explaining a newfound understanding or awareness. For instance, "Realizing that he was late, he rushed to the meeting" shows the character's understanding influenced his action.

What are some alternatives to "realizing that"?

You can use alternatives like "becoming aware that", "understanding that", or "recognizing that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "realizing that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "realizing that", as it introduces a dependent clause. However, ensure the main clause follows logically and completes the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "realizing that" and "knowing that"?

"Realizing that" implies a moment of discovery or sudden understanding, while "knowing that" suggests a state of already possessing the knowledge. For instance, "Realizing that she had forgotten her keys, she rushed back" versus "Knowing that she had an early start, she went to bed early".