recognize whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"recognize whether" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone needs to be able to distinguish or differentiate between two things. For example, "We must recognize whether the different types of data we collect have different implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is for the church to say and to recognize whether it is a miracle".

The New York Times

This is, you want to recognize whether an image contains a face or not.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They cannot recognize whether the pollen they consume is a good protein source or not.

Yale University

Spanier, Schultz and Curley couldn't necessarily recognize whether he was indeed a molester or falsely accused.

The Washington Post

So how can you recognize whether someone is in that category ideally before accepting a position?

Harvard Business Review

For example, they could only recognize whether a user was shaking his head from side to side or nodding.

The New York Times - Tech

Jull-Patterson advises, "It is important to recognize whether or not the patient's request for a hastened death is actually a plea for increased quality of life.

University of California, Berkeley

For instance, an algorithm can be taught to recognize whether a photograph includes a dog by first being shown photos of dogs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Eran Ribak just does not understand how Representative Anthony D. Weiner could not recognize whether the man in the gray boxer briefs was him or not.

The New York Times

For example, the algorithm learned to recognize whether people were wearing a jacket, a scarf, a necktie, glasses, a hat, and so on.

MIT Technology Review

But Laulicht says the system could potentially recognize whether another magnet was changing the force applied to a pill, and even counter it.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recognize whether" to clearly indicate the need to distinguish between two possibilities or conditions. For instance, "The algorithm must recognize whether the input is valid before processing it."

Common error

Avoid overusing "recognize whether" in contexts where simpler words like "see if" or "determine if" would suffice. The added formality may sound unnatural in casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recognize whether" functions as an infinitive acting as a verb complement. It introduces a clause that specifies a condition or possibility that needs to be identified or acknowledged. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

26%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recognize whether" is a versatile phrase used to express the ability or need to distinguish between different possibilities or conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Its frequency is high, especially in scientific, news, and academic writing. While generally neutral to formal, it can be replaced by simpler alternatives like "see if" in casual settings. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase's formality aligns appropriately. Remember, its strength lies in clearly indicating the act of discerning between options, as seen across numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Determine if

Replaces "recognize" with "determine" and "whether" with "if", focusing on the act of making a decision or judgment.

Identify if

Emphasizes the act of pinpointing or establishing the presence of something, using "identify" instead of "recognize".

Ascertain whether

Uses a more formal and precise verb, "ascertain", to convey the process of finding something out for certain.

Discern if

Implies a careful and subtle observation, suggesting a more nuanced form of recognition.

Establish whether

Focuses on confirming or proving the existence of something, making it known or recognized.

Figure out if

Represents a more informal way to express the action of understanding or solving a problem.

Realize if

Shifts the focus to becoming aware or conscious of something.

Acknowledge whether

Emphasizes the acceptance or admission of something, suggesting a recognition of its validity.

Understand if

Highlights the comprehension aspect of recognizing, focusing on grasping the meaning or significance.

Detect whether

Implies the discovery of something not easily noticed, often through specific methods or tools.

FAQs

How can I use "recognize whether" in a sentence?

Use "recognize whether" to indicate the ability to distinguish between two possibilities. For example, "It's important to "recognize whether" a situation requires immediate action or can be handled later."

What's a more formal alternative to "recognize whether"?

A more formal alternative to "recognize whether" is "ascertain whether". This suggests a more thorough and precise process of finding something out.

What is the difference between "recognize whether" and "determine if"?

"Recognize whether" implies a more immediate or intuitive understanding, whereas "determine if" suggests a more deliberate process of investigation and decision-making.

When is it better to use "recognize whether" versus "see if"?

"Recognize whether" is suitable in formal or technical contexts where precision is important. "See if" is more appropriate for casual conversations or when a simple check is needed.