you can recognize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you can recognize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone has the ability to identify or acknowledge something. Example: "When you see the logo, you can recognize the brand immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You can recognize it's Lonni Sue," she said.

The New York Times - Health

You can recognize these local habitations even if you have never visited the city.

The New York Times

This Event's rich historicity multiplies if you can recognize choreography from different decades coinciding.

The New York Times - Arts

"I wrote 'Endpapers' as a fairly straightforward, orthodox story, with characters you can recognize.

The New York Times

"If you know a certain artist you can recognize him again," he said.

The New York Times - Health

"All you have to do is turn on the news and you can recognize that".

The New York Times

"I scan pictures of ancestors, and you can recognize the person," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

And if you can recognize the signs, you could save your life.

The New York Times - Sports

It's still something you can recognize as the Lincoln Center fountain".

The New York Times - Arts

You can recognize them or you can ignore them and allow problems to develop".

The New York Times

But if you look deeply you can recognize the flaws in that logic.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, "you can recognize" helps guide the reader in understanding what to look for to confirm they've completed a step correctly.

Common error

Avoid using "you can recognize" when "you can recall" or "you can remember" is more appropriate. Recognition involves identifying something familiar, while recall involves retrieving information from memory without external cues. For example, use "you can recognize the song when you hear the first few notes" (recognition), but "you can recall the lyrics after hearing the song many times" (recall).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you can recognize" functions as a way to indicate someone's ability to identify or distinguish something. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, this ability is often based on specific characteristics, prior knowledge, or experience. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you can recognize" is a common and versatile way to express someone's ability to identify or distinguish something. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, especially in news, wiki, and academic sources. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the act of identifying something familiar rather than simply recalling information. Be aware of alternative phrasing options, such as "you are able to identify" or "you have the capacity to discern", to fine-tune your intended meaning. Pay attention to the context to avoid confusion with similar phrases like "you can remember". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "you can recognize" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you are able to identify

Emphasizes the ability to pinpoint or establish what something is.

you have the capacity to discern

Highlights the mental capability to distinguish or perceive something clearly.

you are in a position to acknowledge

Focuses on the possibility of acceptance or recognition after evaluation.

you have the know-how to perceive

Stresses the acquired knowledge or skill to understand or notice something.

it is possible for you to detect

Indicates the feasibility of discovering or noticing something through observation.

you are equipped to distinguish

Emphasizes having the necessary tools or qualities to differentiate between things.

you are empowered to notice

Highlights having the authority or ability to pay attention to something.

you are in a state to apprehend

Implies being in the right condition to grasp or understand something.

you are apt to realize

Suggests a natural tendency or likelihood of becoming aware of something.

you stand to identify

Highlights the anticipation of identifying an element.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "you can recognize"?

Alternatives include "you are able to identify", "you have the capacity to discern", or "it is possible for you to detect" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "you can recognize" in a sentence?

Use "you can recognize" when indicating someone's ability to identify something based on specific features or prior knowledge. For instance, "you can recognize the signs" of a problem.

What is the difference between "you can recognize" and "you can remember"?

"You can recognize" implies identifying something familiar, whereas "you can remember" means recalling something from memory. For example, "you can recognize a friend's face" but "you can remember their name".

Is "you can recognize" formal or informal?

"You can recognize" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.