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Hiroshi Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

About the way of use "recognize" and "realize"

Hello,

Could anyone tell me whether there are any differences between following sentences?

1. I'm sorry, I didn't realize who you were.

2. Lisa! I'm sorry -- I didn't recognize you -- you've had your hair cut!

In case of No.2 sentence, can you use "I didn't realize who you were."

And, in what situation can you use No.1 sentence? Can you use the sentence in the same

situation as No.2? I mean Can you use the sentence, "Lisa! I'm sorry -- I didn't realize you

-- you've had your hair cut!"

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Hiroshi
  

Top answer

Hello, Hiroshi. #1 has no context, but both phrases ('I didn't realize who you were' and 'I didn't recognize you') can be used in both #1 and #2. 'I didn't recognize you' normally applies to an individual that you know.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hello, Hiroshi.
  • #1 has no context, but both phrases ('I didn't realize who you were' and 'I didn't recognize you') can be used in both #1 and #2.
  • 'I didn't recognize you' normally applies to an individual that you know.
  • 'I didn't realize who you were' is also often applied to a position rather than an individual, like a policeman or a manager.
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6 Answers
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Hello, Hiroshi.

#1 has no context, but both phrases ('I didn't realize who you were' and 'I didn't recognize you') can be used in both #1 and #2.

'I didn't recognize you' normally applies to an individual that you know.

'I didn't realize who you were' is also often applied to a position rather than an individual, like a policeman or a manager.
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Dear, Mister Micawber

Thank you for your reply.

I have understood that 'I didn't realize who you were' can also be used in #2.

But I can't imagine a situation where 'I didn't realize who you were' is applied to a policeman or a manager.

Is this situation right? --- for example, if I have a rude attitude to a person and have found out later that

the pers
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Yes, that is exactly right, Hiroshi.
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Thank you very much for your help, Mister Micawber.

Hiroshi
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Hi Mister Micawber,

May I ask, in the following situations, which word I should choose, recognize or realize?:

1/ - As soon as I saw the animal, I recognized it as a wolf.
or
- As soon as I saw the animal, I realized that it was a wolf.

2/ I instantly recognized him as a vet.
or
I instantly realized that he was a vet.

Thank you very much.
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They all seem OK, but really:

As soon as I saw the animal, I knew it was a wolf.

#2 is odder, since veterinarians have no physical characteristics that I am aware of:

I saw he was a vet.
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