Meaning auf confusion using, understand, realize

[Hellokareem]

i have confusion using ,"understand, realize, recognize,identify" . i always misplacing these words ..

[Martino]

Hi :)

To understand is to comprehend, meaning to take in all that you see/hear/feel and to absorb these and be able to use them fittingly. For example: "I finally understand why my father had to work all those late nights."

"Realize" is used when referring to a thought that you came up with yourself based on what you see/hear/feel. "I now realize that all the things that went wrong were signs."

Recognizing something means that that object or person or thought is already familiar to you, as in "Hey Molly! I almost didn't recognize you with your new hair!"

"Identify" can mean different things. It could mean "to relate to," "to associate with," or "to recognize as (something)."

Hope this helps :)

[Hellokareem]

Thanks a lot......in second sentence " now I realize that all the things that went wrong were signs.", can we use understand also??
one more thing i fell little confusion in your all sentences ..starting with "I"
instead of "I finally understand why my father had to work all those late nights." "finally i understand" "now i realize" could be better?correct me if i am wrong

[Martino]

Yes, you can use "understand" in the second sentence. It all depends on the thought of the sentence you are trying to construct. And yes, you can substitute "now I realize" for "I finally understand" in the first example I provided. Good job figuring that one out, Kareem! :)

[Hellokareem]

thanks..i am very disappointed because alan sir not responding me....i don't know where i got mistake..

[MrPedantic]

Just as a footnote:

"Realise" in the past tense often refers to the moment of understanding:

1. I realised I would be in trouble if I was late again.

— here, the thought suddenly came to the speaker.

In the present tense, however, it usually means "understand", and often presents a thought that the speaker intends to disregard:

2. I realise I'll be in trouble if I'm late again; but I have to finish this email before I go.

Best wishes,

MrP

[Hellokareem]

thanks ...getting slowly...
can you provide more example?

[MrPedantic]

Here are some more examples:

1. When I woke up, I realised it was Odette's birthday, and I hadn't even bought her a present.

— the thought "it's her birthday!" suddenly came to me, when I woke up.

2. I realise it's her birthday, but I can't afford to buy her a present.

— I am fully aware of the fact that it's her birthday, but...

3. I realised it was almost midnight, and decided to call her the next day instead.

— at that moment, and not before, I knew it was almost midnight.

4. I realise that it's almost midnight, but I need to talk to you.

— I know very well that it's almost midnight, but...

Best wishes,

MrP