they recognized that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they recognized that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has become aware of or acknowledged a particular fact or situation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, they recognized that their initial assumptions were incorrect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But they recognized that association with the Second Corps brought prestige.

The New York Times

They recognized that meeting these needs was important but they were not always able to meet them.

Teaching and Learning in Nursing

They recognized that elements in the scenarios were actually addressing the issues they were facing in the real world.

European Journal of Futures Research

They recognized that a higher rate was justified".

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

They recognized that food security was more than agricultural science.

The New York Times

The commissioners said they recognized that greater use of genetically modified crops would create some problems.

The New York Times - Science

We deserved those Digital Shorts, and it's important they recognized that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They said they recognized that they have a similar obligation to today's children.

The New York Times

"They recognized that we want to have input," Mr. Harder said.

The New York Times

They recognized that the region was full of distinctive terroirs with much to offer.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they recognized that" to clearly indicate a moment of awareness or acknowledgement within a narrative or argument. Ensure that the subject ("they") is clearly defined and that the "that" clause accurately reflects what was understood.

Common error

Avoid using "they recognized that" when the recognition is purely subjective and lacks objective validation. Instead, use phrases like "they believed that" or "they felt that" to better reflect personal opinions or sentiments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they recognized that" functions as a connector linking a subject ("they") to a clause expressing their understanding or acknowledgement of a particular fact or situation. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they recognized that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a moment of realization or acknowledgement by a group of people. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct. It appears most commonly in news and media, science, and business contexts, and carries a neutral tone suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure clarity about who "they" refers to and that the subsequent "that" clause accurately reflects the understanding. For alternatives, "they acknowledged that" or "they realized that" can be used to create variety in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they acknowledged that

Uses "acknowledged" instead of "recognized", implying a formal acceptance of something.

they realized that

Replaces "recognized" with "realized", suggesting a sudden understanding.

they understood that

Uses "understood" in place of "recognized", emphasizing comprehension.

they grasped that

Employs "grasped", implying a firm understanding or realization.

they perceived that

Substitutes "recognized" with "perceived", indicating an awareness gained through observation.

they discerned that

Replaces "recognized" with "discerned", suggesting a more careful or insightful understanding.

they became aware that

Uses the phrase "became aware" to express the gaining of knowledge.

they were conscious that

Replaces "recognized" with "were conscious", emphasizing a state of awareness.

it dawned on them that

Uses the idiomatic expression "it dawned on them", indicating a sudden realization.

they came to the conclusion that

Replaces "recognized that" with "came to the conclusion that", emphasizing a process of reasoning.

FAQs

How to use "they recognized that" in a sentence?

Use "they recognized that" to introduce a clause explaining what a group or entity came to understand or acknowledge. For example, "After analyzing the data, "they recognized that" their initial hypothesis was incorrect".

What can I say instead of "they recognized that"?

You can use alternatives like "they acknowledged that", "they realized that", or "they understood that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they recognized that" or "they recognize that"?

"They recognized that" is past tense, indicating a past realization. "They recognize that" is present tense, indicating a current understanding. The correct choice depends on the timing of the recognition you are describing.

What's the difference between "they recognized that" and "they assumed that"?

"They recognized that" implies a realization based on evidence or understanding, while "they assumed that" implies a belief without concrete proof. The first is based on evidence and understanding, the second on a belief without proof.