In the fast-paced world of speaking English fluently, a little confusion among similar words can fall upon even the most seasoned wordsmiths. One such instance arises with the seemingly identical words “realize” and “realise.” Now, you may be confused about which one is correct and which one is not. Don’t worry, this blog highlights the main difference between them. Are they genuinely interchangeable, or is there a hidden distinction lurking beneath the surface? Let’s explore more about it.
What is the difference between Realize and Realise
Realize and Realise have the same meaning: “become aware” or “make something happen in real.” These verbs with similar meanings only differ in their spellings on whether you use Australian or American English. These differences are similar in organise vs organize. Other examples include “colour” vs “color,” “favour” vs “favor,” and “centre” vs “center.” Understanding these spelling variations is essential for maintaining consistency in writing, especially in professional and academic contexts where the audience’s regional preferences should be considered.
- In Australian and UK English, “Realise” (with an “s”) is more commonly used.
- In US English, “realize” (with a “z”) is the only correct spelling.
| Realise | Realize | |
| Spelling | Australia and UK | US and Canada |
| Formed by | Adding the suffix ‘ise’ to the base word “real.” | Adding the suffix ‘ize’ to the base word “real.” |
| Pronunciation | [REE] + [UH] + [LYZ] | [REE] + [UH] + [LYZ] |
| Definition | To become aware of something. | To become aware of something. |
| Verb Form | Present tense: realise | Present tense: realize |
| Past tense: realised | Past tense: realized | |
| Present participle: realising | Present participle: realizing | |
| Past participle: realised | Past participle: realized | |
| Synonyms | ||
| Examples | ||
Is There Any Difference Between “Realising” or “Realizing”
There is no difference in meaning between realising and realizing. Both words are present participle and gerund forms of the verb “realize/realize.” Both words have the same meaning but differ in spelling in past form as realised/realized and noun form realisation/realization. The usage and selection of spellings differ in the region, whether in Australia or America.
The same difference applies to similar words, such as “beavior vs behaviour”, “gray vs grey”, “favor vs favour” and “honor vs honour.” It’s important to choose one word and use it consistently.
| In UK and Australia | In Canada and America |
| The gerund words “realising,” “realised,” and “realisation” is commonly used. | The only valid spellings are “realizing,” “realized,” and “realization.” |
For Example: The other form of “realise” in a sentence |
For Example: The other form of “realize” in a sentence
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Tips to Remember the Difference Between Realize Vs Realise
Here are some valuable tips for remembering the difference between the similar but confusing words “Realise” and “Realize.”
Remember that the British and the word ‘Realise’ both contain ‘s’ in their spelling, which is the Australian and UK spelling of the word. Realize has a ‘z’ at the end, which is the American spelling of the word.
Frequently Asked Questions
The only correct spelling in America is “realize” with ‘z.’ The spelling of “realise” with ‘s’ is used only in Canada, Australia and in UK.
Yes, the spelling of “realised” with ‘s’ is correct. It is the past tense of the verb “realise,” which refers to becoming aware of something or tangible.
In British English, “realized” is spelled with an “s” instead of a “z,” making it “realised.” This spelling difference aligns with typical British English usage. The spelling difference varies between British and American English.
Both words have the same meaning but differ in spelling. A synonym for “realize/realise” is “comprehend,” which means understanding or grasping something mentally. These words and synonyms convey the idea of becoming aware of something or understanding at a deeper level.
The three synonyms of “realise” are:
- Recognise
- Comprehend
- Appreciate
Realise and realize are two spellings of the same verb. The spelling depends on the type of English like in British English, “realise” is used and in American English, “realize” with ‘z’ is used. Canadian English usually follows the UK guidelines for spelling, but for words ending in -ize or -yze, it follows American guidelines. This means “realize” is standard and is used in Canada.
