What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
perceive
Example
I can perceive a faint smell of roses in the air. [perceive: verb]
Example
She perceived the situation as a threat and acted accordingly. [perceived: past tense]
recognize
Example
I recognize that voice from somewhere. [recognize: verb]
Example
The company recognized the need for change and implemented new policies. [recognized: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recognize is more commonly used than perceive in everyday language. Recognize is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while perceive is less common and often used in academic or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between perceive and recognize?
Perceive is typically associated with a more formal tone, while recognize can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
