Realise or Realize | Difference & Example Sentences
Realise and realize are two different spellings of the verb meaning ‘become aware’ or ‘make real’. The spelling varies based on whether you’re writing UK or US English.
- In UK English, ‘realise’ (with an ‘s’) is more common.
- In US English, ‘realize’ (with a ‘z’) is the only correct spelling.
Clara wanted Paul to realise/realize he was mistaken.
Sierra hopes to realise/realize her dream of writing a novel.
The more goals you realise/realize, the more confident you’ll be.
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‘Realising’ or ‘realizing’
Realising and realizing are the present participle and gerund of the verb ‘realise/realize’. The same spelling distinction carries over to these forms, the past forms realised/realized, and the nouns realisation/realization.
- In UK English, ‘realising’, ‘realised’, and ‘realisation’ are commonly used.
- In US English, ‘realizing’, ‘realized’, and ‘realization’ are the only valid spellings.
As I spoke to Peter, I realised/realized we hadn’t seen each other in almost 10 years.
Belle got angry once she came to the realisation/realization that she had been fooled.
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Ryan, E. (2023, February 06). Realise or Realize | Difference & Example Sentences. Scribbr. Retrieved 10 February 2025, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/uk-vs-us/realize-or-realise/