they realized that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they realized that" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to introduce a realization or understanding that a subject has had. Here is an example: "They realized that the project would require more time and resources than initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But as they gained experience in different countries, they realized that was not the best strategy.

The New York Times

But within a few years, they realized that wasn't enough.

Forbes

They realized that they were negligible.

The New Yorker

Then they realized that he probably hadn't but didn't care.

The New Yorker

Maybe they realized that you can't win without a quad.

The New York Times - Sports

"They realized that more than sympathy was required".

The New York Times

They didn't dare, and they realized that they didn't dare.

The New York Times

"And then they realized that that was not the answer.

The New York Times

They realized that they needed their dead buddy's help.

The New York Times

And they realized that their lifeguard had become a firefighter.

The New York Times

They brightened when they realized that I was a foreigner.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they realized that", ensure the subsequent clause provides specific details about the realization.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently after "they realized that". Maintain a logical flow by ensuring the tense in the 'that' clause aligns with the context of the realization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they realized that" functions as a clause introducer, signaling a cognitive shift or new understanding achieved by a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and correct construction. The clause following "they realized that" typically provides the content of their realization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they realized that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to introduce a new understanding or realization, Ludwig AI confirms it's a common and correct construction. It functions as a clause introducer, commonly found in news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries. While versatile across various registers, its primary aim is to communicate a shift in awareness. Writers should be mindful of maintaining consistent tense agreement after "that". Consider alternatives like "they recognized that" or "they understood that" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they recognized that

Emphasizes a formal acknowledgement or awareness.

they discovered that

Highlights the act of finding something previously unknown.

they understood that

Focuses on comprehension and grasping the meaning.

they ascertained that

Implies a process of careful investigation leading to a confirmed understanding.

they perceived that

Indicates an intuitive or sensory awareness.

they became aware that

Stresses the gradual process of gaining knowledge.

they figured out that

Suggests a problem-solving approach to understanding.

it dawned on them that

Indicates a sudden realization.

they concluded that

Implies a logical deduction or judgment based on evidence.

they came to the conclusion that

A more emphatic way of saying they came to realize something.

FAQs

How can I use "they realized that" in a sentence?

Use "they realized that" to introduce a clause explaining what a group or multiple people came to understand. For example, "They realized that the project was more complex than they initially thought".

What are some alternatives to "they realized that"?

You can use alternatives like "they recognized that", "they understood that", or "they discovered that" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "they realized of that" instead of "they realized that"?

No, the correct phrasing is "they realized that". The preposition "of" is not needed and would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "they realized that" and "they felt that"?

"They realized that" indicates a moment of understanding or recognition, whereas "they felt that" implies a subjective emotion or opinion. The former is based on comprehension, while the latter is based on sentiment.