Recognise vs Recognize

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What’s the difference between them?

Recognise

Meaning:

Recognise means to identify or acknowledge someone or something, especially when they have earned it.

Examples:

1. I recognise your face from somewhere, do I know you?

2. He was finally recognised for his hard work and was rewarded with a promotion.

3. She was recognised as a leading expert in her field for her innovative research.

Recognize

Meaning:

Meaning is the same, but such spelling is mostly used in American English.

Examples:

1. He was finally recognized as a great artist.

2. Her achievements were recognized by the academy.

3. We need to recognize the signs of a heart attack.

Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference

Synonyms

Antonyms

Recognise

Acknowledge

identify

Ignore

Recognize

Identify

acknowledge

Ignore

Tricks for mastery

Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Recognise", "Recognize".

Remember that 'recognise' is used in British English (for example, in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc.), while 'recognize' is used in American English.

Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words

Frequently asked questions

When to use the first word, 'Recognise'?

'Recognise' is a verb that is primarily used in British English. It means to acknowledge or identify something. For example, 'I recognised her voice immediately when she called.'

When to use the second word, 'Recognize'?

'Recognize' is a verb that is primarily used in American English. It means to acknowledge or identify something. For example, 'He quickly recognized his mistake and corrected it.'

Do the words 'Recognise' and 'Recognize' have the same pronunciation?

Yes, both words have the same pronunciation. They are both pronounced as 'reh-kuhg-nahyz'.

What are common mistakes associated with the words 'Recognise' and 'Recognize'?

One common mistake is using 'Recognise' when 'Recognize' should be used, or vice versAnother mistake is thinking that the words have different pronunciations. It's important to remember that the words are spelled differently but they are pronounced the same.

Fill in the gaps to check yourself

1. Did you ______ her when she walked into the room?

2. In the United States, people tend to ______ color without a u.

3. Its important to ______ the early signs of a health issue.

4. In the UK, its common to ______ organise with an s.

5. He did not ______ the man in the old photograph.

6. British English tends to ______ words like realise with an s.

1. Answer: recognize or recognise

Explanation: There is no specific clue in the sentence to indicate whether American or British English should be used, so both recognize and recognise are acceptable answers.

2. Answer: recognize

Explanation: The sentence provides a clue by mentioning the United States and giving an example of American English spelling (color), which indicates that the American English spelling, recognize, should be used.

3. Answer: recognize or recognise

Explanation: There is no specific clue in the sentence to indicate whether American or British English should be used, so both recognize and recognise are acceptable answers.

4. Answer: recognise

Explanation: The sentence provides a clue by mentioning in the UK and giving an example of British English spelling (organise), which indicates that the British English spelling, recognise, should be used.

5. Answer: recognize or recognise

Explanation: There is no specific clue in the sentence to indicate whether American or British English should be used, so both recognize and recognise are acceptable answers.

6. Answer: recognise

Explanation: The sentence provides a clue by discussing British English and giving an example (realise), indicating that recognise, which is British English spelling, should be used.

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List of Commonly Confused Words

Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.