Realizing vs. Realising — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 17, 2024
"Realizing" and "realising" refer to the same process of becoming aware, but differ in spelling based on American English ("realizing") versus British English ("realising").
Difference Between Realizing and Realising
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Realizing" is the preferred spelling in American English, used in contexts involving understanding or coming to an awareness of something, whereas "realising" follows the British English convention, often seen in UK and Commonwealth countries.
In academic and formal writing, "realizing" is consistently used in American publications, while "realising" is common in British texts.
American English generally adopts simpler spellings, which in this case omits the 'e' after the 'l', while British English retains more traditional spellings that often include more letters, like the 's' instead of a 'z'.
While "realizing" might appear in software, websites, and publications that use American English standards, "realising" will be prevalent in materials adhering to British guidelines.
Technological settings, such as spell-checkers and word processing software, often default to one form based on the language settings, with "realizing" typically flagged as incorrect in British settings and vice versa.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
American English: uses 'z'.
British English: uses 's'.
Usage Context
Preferred in the United States.
Preferred in the UK and Commonwealth.
Pronunciation
Identical in both forms.
Identical in both forms.
Example Publications
American newspapers, magazines, books.
British newspapers, magazines, books.
Language Settings
"Realizing" is standard in US English.
"Realising" is standard in UK English.
Compare with Definitions
Realizing
Acknowledging a truth.
She's realizing that things won't change overnight.
Realising
Becoming aware of something.
She was realising the complexity of the situation.
Realizing
Becoming aware of something.
She was realizing the complexity of the situation.
Realising
Acknowledging a truth.
She's realising that things won't change overnight.
Realizing
Coming to an understanding.
He's finally realizing why the decision was made.
Realising
Coming to an understanding.
He's finally realising why the decision was made.
Realizing
Achieving clarity of perception.
They are realizing the potential risks involved.
Realising
Grasping mentally.
He's realising the consequences of his actions now.
Realizing
Grasping mentally.
He's realizing the consequences of his actions now.
Realising
Achieving clarity of perception.
They are realising the potential risks involved.
Realizing
To comprehend completely or correctly.
Realising
(UK) realise
Realizing
To bring into reality; make real
He finally realized his lifelong ambition to learn how to play the violin.
Realizing
To make realistic
A film that realizes court life of the 1600s.
Realizing
To obtain or achieve, as gain or profit
She realized a substantial return on the investment.
Realizing
To bring in (a sum) as profit by sale.
Realizing
To exchange holdings or goods for money.
Realizing
Present participle of realize
Realizing
Serving to make real, or to impress on the mind as a reality; as, a realizing view of the danger incurred.
Common Curiosities
Is "realising" incorrect in American English?
In American English, "realising" is generally considered a spelling error.
Why does American English prefer "realizing"?
American English often adopts simpler, more phonetic spellings, which in this case includes using 'z'.
How should I spell "realizing/realising" in an international context?
It depends on the convention followed by the audience or publication standard you are adhering to.
What is the difference between "realizing" and "realising"?
The main difference is spelling: "realizing" is American English, while "realising" is British English.
Can "realizing" and "realising" be used interchangeably?
Yes, they can be used interchangeably depending on the intended audience's language norm.
Which spelling should I use in academic writing?
Use "realizing" for American English academic settings and "realising" for British contexts.
Does the spelling change affect the pronunciation?
No, both "realizing" and "realising" are pronounced the same way.
Are there other words affected by this type of spelling variation?
Yes, similar variations include "organizing" vs. "organising" and "analyzing" vs. "analysing".
Can I use "realising" in American business communications?
It's advisable to use "realizing" in American settings to conform to standard spelling practices.
What should I set my spell checker to if I'm writing for a British company?
Set your spell checker to UK English to ensure it recognizes "realising" as correct.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
