Would it sound awkward if I say "acknowledge" instead of "recognize" in this context?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
Yes, it would sound a bit awkward! One can recognise something or something and still not acknowledge it. And one can acknowledge something and still not recognise it. In this context, the brain may know something is there, but it doesn't know what to recognise it as to process it. Ex: In the corner of my eye I recognised someone from school. But I tried not to make eye contact. => Recognition without acknowledgment. Ex: Someone waved to me on the train. I waved back, but I didn't recognise them. => Acknowledgement without recognition. Ex: The recognition on my phone knew my face was there, but it didn't recognise me and locked me out.
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