they realized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they realized" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that someone has come to an understanding or awareness of something. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, they realized the mistake in their calculations." Alternative expressions include "they understood," "they became aware," and "they recognized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They realized it wasn't fake.

The New York Times - Arts

On second glance, they realized their mistake.

The New Yorker

They had more talent than they realized.

The New Yorker

They realized I was genuinely interested".

The New York Times

"And they realized I was a fraud".

The New York Times

They realized that they were negligible.

The New Yorker

"They realized I worked fast," Ackroyd says.

The New York Times

They realized they are free now".

The New York Times

"They realized what they had to do.

The New York Times - Sports

"They realized it was a stupid mistake".

The New York Times

And, they realized, their hearts were, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports, consider using more precise verbs like "concluded" or "determined" if the awareness was based on formal analysis.

Common error

Writers often use "they realized" when the realization is already implied by the context. If you write 'They looked at the empty safe and realized they had been robbed', you can often omit 'and realized' to make the sentence more punchy: 'They looked at the empty safe; they had been robbed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they realized" serves as a primary subject-verb clause. It functions as a cognitive reporting verb, typically followed by a direct object or a 'that' clause. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used to introduce a discovery or a shift in a character's knowledge base.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "they realized" is a fundamental and highly reliable phrase in the English language. Ludwig AI data demonstrates its dominance in high-quality journalism and narrative writing, where it serves to mark critical shifts in awareness. While it is simple, its clarity makes it indispensable for explaining how a group of people moved from confusion to understanding. Whether used in a news report about a scientific breakthrough or a novel describing a family's epiphany, it remains a robust choice for any writer. Alternatives like "<a href="/s/they+understood" target="_blank" rel="alternative">they understood" or "<a href="/s/they+recognized" target="_blank" rel="alternative">they recognized" can be used to add variety, but the primary phrase is universally effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they understood

Emphasizes the comprehension of a concept or situation rather than just the moment of discovery.

they recognized

Focuses on identifying something previously known or acknowledging a specific truth.

they became aware

More formal and describes a transition into a state of consciousness about a fact.

they discovered

Suggests finding out something that was hidden or unknown through investigation or chance.

they came to the realization

A more verbose and formal version that emphasizes the process of reaching a conclusion.

they grasped

Implies a deeper or more effortful mental reach to understand a complex idea.

they learned

Indicates the acquisition of knowledge or information over time.

it dawned on them

An idiomatic expression that highlights the suddenness or clarity of a new thought.

they noticed

Focuses more on sensory perception or immediate attention to a detail.

they perceived

A more formal term often used in scientific or philosophical contexts for mental or sensory awareness.

FAQs

How do you use "they realized" in a sentence?

You use "they realized" to describe a moment where a group of people gains a new understanding, such as: 'After checking the map, they realized they were on the wrong road'.

What can I say instead of "they realized"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/they+understood" target="_blank" rel="alternative">they understood", "<a href="/s/they+recognized" target="_blank" rel="alternative">they recognized" or "<a href="/s/they+discovered" target="_blank" rel="alternative">they discovered".

Is "they realized" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a standard subject-verb construction in the past tense. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in reputable sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker.

What is the difference between "they realized" and "they noticed"?

While "they realized" usually implies a mental epiphany or understanding of a fact, "<a href="/s/they+noticed" target="_blank" rel="alternative">they noticed" typically refers to the physical act of seeing or sensing something.