recognized that it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recognized that it was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging or admitting the existence or truth of something in a statement or observation. Example: "She recognized that it was a mistake to underestimate the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Aristotle recorded elements of its natural history, including that it bore live young, and correctly recognized that it was a shark despite its resemblance to rays and skates.

Wikipedia

But American Giant recognized that it was missing an opportunity to convert a larger percentage of its visitors from browsers to buyers.

The New York Times

"We recognized that it was unusual.

The New York Times - Sports

"They recognized that it was in their political interest".

The New York Times

"I recognized that it was a concussion," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Ten years ago, no one recognized that it was a problem," said Ms. Smith.

The New York Times

"We recognized that it was a challenging exam, but found no reason to change it".

The New York Times

Whatever else she made of such excess, Zalaznick recognized that it was good for business.

The New York Times - Magazine

During processing, she recognized that it was someone in a Halloween costume.

The New York Times

And she recognized that it was savvy marketing for the company to hold the luncheon.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Giuliani people recognized that it was meant to be appreciated by as many people as possible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language to avoid repetition. While "recognized that it was" is correct, consider using alternatives like "realized it was" or "acknowledged that it was" for stylistic variation.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is unclear or the action is obscured. Instead of saying "It was recognized that...", specify who did the recognizing: "The committee recognized that the policy needed revision."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recognized that it was" functions as a cognitive verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It expresses a subject's acknowledgement or understanding of a particular fact or situation. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts to convey this cognitive process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recognized that it was" is a common and grammatically correct way to express understanding or acknowledgement of a fact or situation. According to Ludwig, it is widely used in news and media, but also appears in other sources. While "recognized that it was" is considered grammatically correct, there are alternatives such as "realized that it was" or "acknowledged that it was" that can be used for stylistic variation. It's important to use "recognized that it was" in active voice, specifying who did the recognizing. In conclusion, "recognized that it was" is a versatile phrase useful for conveying understanding across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

realized it was

Slightly more informal; focuses on the moment of realization.

acknowledged that it was

More formal; emphasizes acceptance of a fact or situation.

understood that it was

Focuses on comprehension and grasping the meaning.

perceived that it was

Emphasizes the subjective experience of noticing something.

identified it as

Highlights the act of classifying or naming something.

determined that it was

Suggests a more formal or investigative process of discovery.

became aware that it was

Focuses on the gradual process of gaining awareness.

came to the conclusion that it was

Implies a reasoned or logical arrival at an understanding.

ascertained that it was

Signifies finding something out for certain; more formal.

discovered that it was

Focuses on finding something new or unexpected.

FAQs

What does "recognized that it was" mean?

The phrase "recognized that it was" signifies acknowledging or becoming aware of something. It implies a moment of understanding or realization about a particular fact, situation, or truth.

What can I say instead of "recognized that it was"?

You can use alternatives like "realized it was", "acknowledged that it was", or "understood that it was" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "recognized that it was" in a sentence?

You can use "recognized that it was" in a sentence to indicate understanding or acknowledgement of a fact. For example: "The team recognized that it was time for a change in strategy."

Is it better to say "realized that it was" or "recognized that it was"?

Both "realized that it was" and "recognized that it was" are correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Realized" emphasizes the moment of becoming aware, while "recognized" suggests a prior familiarity or understanding that is being reaffirmed.