we had recognised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we had recognised" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the recognition occurred before another past event or point in time. Example: "By the time the meeting started, we had recognised the need for a new strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If only we had recognised what was going on, Andrew could have had help before his stroke happened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The report's details build on the issues we had recognised ourselves as inadequate practice and which we shared with Ofsted on their arrival," she said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We have recognised this.

The Guardian - Books

We have recognised what Kelly can offer.

Independent

"It's something we've recognised in Scotland," he told Sky Sports News.

Independent

"We've recognised what merchants have been telling us for some time now," says Sofie Findling Andersen of the chamber of commerce.

The Guardian

But in setting targets in this bottom-up way we have recognised the limits of multilateralism in addressing climate change.

The Guardian

We've recognised that family planning is a matter with socio-economic consequences that affect us all.

The Guardian - Opinion

In addition to investing in our infrastructure, we have recognised that we'll need to think creatively about how we'll meet our carbon emissions target.

The Guardian

"We have recognised that used on its own the name Islamic State could suggest that such a state exists and such an interpretation is misleading.

Independent

"Following our performance and injuries in the first Test, we have recognised the need to bolster the squad," said the selector Linda Zondi.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we had recognised", ensure that the timeline is clear. Indicate what happened after the recognition to emphasize the sequence of events. For example, "We had recognised the problem, and therefore implemented a new strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "we had recognised" when the action of recognizing is the main focus and there's no subsequent action to relate it to. Instead, use "we recognised" for a simple past action. Don't say "We had recognised the issue yesterday", when "We recognised the issue yesterday" is clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we had recognised" typically functions as part of a clause within a sentence. It indicates a past perfect action, where the act of recognizing occurred before another point in time or event in the past. The Ludwig examples showcase its usage in news and lifestyle contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we had recognised" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that recognition occurred before another past event. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is most frequently found in news and scientific contexts. While not exceedingly common, it is valuable for establishing a clear timeline in your writing. When using this phrase, ensure the temporal sequence is evident and avoid misusing it in place of the simple past tense. Consider alternatives like "we had realized" or "we had understood" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had realized

Replaces "recognised" with "realized", focusing on becoming aware of something.

we had understood

Substitutes "recognised" with "understood", emphasizing comprehension.

we had acknowledged

Replaces "recognised" with "acknowledged", highlighting acceptance or admission.

we had identified

Substitutes "recognised" with "identified", emphasizing the act of pinpointing something.

we had discerned

Replaces "recognised" with "discerned", suggesting a more subtle or insightful recognition.

we had become aware

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive expression of gaining awareness.

it was previously recognized by us

Changes the sentence structure to passive voice emphasizing previous action.

we were already aware

Indicates a pre-existing state of awareness.

our prior recognition

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase indicating something recognized beforehand.

we had seen

Emphasizes visual confirmation

FAQs

How can I use "we had recognised" in a sentence?

Use "we had recognised" to show that an act of recognition happened before another event in the past. For example, "We had recognised the warning signs before the problem escalated."

What's the difference between "we had recognised" and "we recognised"?

"We had recognised" indicates an action completed before another action in the past. "We recognised" simply describes an action that took place in the past. For example, "We recognised the error immediately" versus "We had recognised the error before the audit began."

What can I say instead of "we had recognised"?

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

Is "we had recognised" formal or informal?

"We had recognised" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The choice depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing or speech.