we realized that

USAGE SUMMARY

'we realized that' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that you have come to an understanding or knowledge of something. For example: "We realized that the meeting had been cancelled when we arrived at the office and found it empty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We laughed when we realized that wasn't the big question.

The New York Times

We realized that failure is indeed not always beautiful.

Huffington Post

We realized that unbalanced distribution might influence the results.

Critical Care

"When we realized that the D.&D.

The New York Times

We realized that and have instituted monthly recognition programs.

The New York Times

"So we realized that it was all highly subjective.

The New York Times

"Then we realized that our mission had been accomplished.

The New York Times

We realized that our second child had supernatural gifts.

The New York Times

And then we realized that this was indeed the place.

The New Yorker

We realized that our aircraft had been sabotaged.

The New York Times

"Then we realized that they just don't know us.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we realized that" to clearly indicate a shift in understanding or a new awareness of a situation. It is appropriate for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we realized that" in overly simple sentences where the realization is obvious. Opt for a more direct statement to maintain conciseness. For instance, instead of "We realized that it was raining", simply write "It was raining".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we realized that" functions as a clause introducer, signaling a change in understanding or awareness. It sets up a statement that explains what was understood or recognized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we realized that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a newfound understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It's appropriate for a range of contexts, from news articles and scientific papers to casual conversations. While highly versatile, consider more precise alternatives like "we discovered that" or "we recognized that" to capture specific nuances. Avoid overuse in overly simple sentences for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we understood that

More straightforward and focuses on the comprehension itself.

we discovered that

Focuses on the finding of new information.

we recognized that

Highlights the act of acknowledging or identifying something.

we perceived that

Emphasizes the process of noticing or becoming conscious of something.

we became aware that

Emphasizes the gradual process of gaining awareness.

we grasped that

Highlights the act of fully comprehending something.

we determined that

More formal and suggests a conclusion reached after investigation.

we came to the understanding that

More formal and emphasizes the process of reaching the understanding.

it dawned on us that

More idiomatic and suggests a sudden realization.

we figured out that

More informal and implies a problem-solving aspect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we realized that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "we came to the understanding that" or "we determined that". These alternatives often suggest a more deliberate and considered process of realization.

What's a more casual way to say "we realized that"?

Informal alternatives include "we figured out that" or "it dawned on us that". These options convey a sense of discovery without sounding overly formal.

Is "we realized that" always the best choice, or are there times to use something else?

While "we realized that" is versatile, consider using alternatives that better capture the specific nuance you intend. For instance, "we discovered that" is appropriate when uncovering new information, while "we recognized that" emphasizes acknowledgment or identification.

How does "we realized that" differ from "we understood that"?

"We realized that" typically implies a moment of sudden understanding or awareness, whereas "we understood that" suggests a more gradual or continuous comprehension. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the moment of realization or the overall understanding.