recognize/acknowledge

[milan2003_07]

Hi,

When someone's achievements, career successes or other results (academic, pedagocical, etc) are greatly appreciated and those people are treated with respect and are known as experts in some field, we say that these people are/have been recognized by colleagues or their achievements are/have been recognized by other people.

Can we use "acknowledge" in the same meaning as "recognize" in the context provided?

Best

 

[milan2003_07]

Please help me answer my question

 

[TheParser]

Hi,

When someone's achievements, career successes or other results (academic, pedagocical, etc) are greatly appreciated and those people are treated with respect and are known as experts in some field, we say that these people are/have been recognized by colleagues or their achievements are/have been recognized by other people.

Can we use "acknowledge" in the same meaning as "recognize" in the context provided?

Best

If you will google "Acknowledge vs. recognize Word Reference Forums,"

you will find 19 interesting posts.

Thank you

 

[milan2003_07]

Thanks for the links, but what's your opinion of all this?

 

[mykwyner]

"...these people are/have been recognized by colleagues or their achievements are/have been recognized by other people."

In the examples you cited, one could use either acknowledged or recognized, but these words are not interchangeable. Since the most common use of recognize is to recall something previously known or seen, I would say that acknowledge is the better word to use in your examples.

Even though he wore a ski mask during the robbery, he was recognized by his colleagues at the bank.

 

[TheParser]

Thanks for the links, but what's your opinion of all this?

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Milan,


(1) I am an old man. I can honestly tell you I had never thought about

this matter until I read your post. (Learners really make me realize how

little I know about my native -- and only -- language.)

(2) I checked a very good dictionary, The New Oxford American

Dictionary. It has 2,023 pages. For acknowledge, it gives this

example:


He's generally acknowledged to be the game's finest coach.

For recognize, it gives:

He was recognized as an international authority.

They both seem to be the same, don't they?

(3) I read all the answers in that "Word Reference Forums"

thread, and a poster named Margie certainly had an interesting

comment. She thinks that:

to recognize = to be aware of something.

to acknowledge = to let it be known that you recognize it!!!

So I guess, according to Margie, you could recognize something without

acknowledging it. Very interesting!!! If you accept Margie's opinion,

then maybe (MAYBE!!!) "acknowledge" is the "better" word for your

sentence. That is, "She is acknowledged as the leading scientist

in her field." She receives all kinds of awards, medals, grants, etc.

The media all praise her. Everyone is letting it be known that they

recognize ( = are aware) of her genius.


BUT as that dictionary shows, maybe (probably?) most native

speakers consider them as synonyms.


***** NOT A TEACHER *****

 

[Verona_82]

Oh, it's the question that has been nagging me for a long time

People usually want to get recognition of their knowledge.
CPE certificates are recognized worldwide.

Is it possible to substitute 'acknowledged' for 'recognized' in the sentences above?

 

[milan2003_07]

Oh, it's the question that has been nagging me for a long time

People usually want to get recognition of their knowledge.
CPE certificates are recognized worldwide.

Is it possible to substitute 'acknowledged' for 'recognized' in the sentences above?

Nice examples. I think that most often "recognition" rather than "acknowledgement" is used to mean that yoy realize somene's achievements and give credit to them by showing respect and admiration. My dictionary gives the word "recognition" to talk about it. However I won't be surprised if I find out that "acknowledgement" is posible too.

As regards sentence #2 I'm sure the word should be "recognized". I've encountered similar sentences many times. When speaking about exams you just mention that the results and the exam certificate are valid in several places and these results carry weight.

Let me ask as follows. Can we use "acknowledge" to say that you've recognized in the street someone you know very well, for example your friend or colleague:

1) At first he didn't notce me but shortly after that he recognized me.
2) At first he didn't notce me but shortly after that he acknowledged me.

Thanks

 

[5jj]

1) At first he didn't notice me but shortly after that he recognized me.
2) At first he didn't notice me but shortly after that he acknowledged me.

In #1, the speaker/writer knows (in some way) that 'he' has remembered his connection with the speaker.

In #2, 'he' has made some sign of recognition - a smile, a wave, a wink, etc.

 

[milan2003_07]

In #1, the speaker/writer knows (in some way) that 'he' has remembered his connection with the speaker.

In #2, 'he' has made some sign of recognition - a smile, a wave, a wink, etc.

Thanks!!!

What about Verona's sentences in post #7 and my suggested comments in post #8? Please tell me whether or not we're right.

Best

 

[5jj]

A short answer.

Verona:
1. People usually want to get recognition of their knowledge.
2. CPE certificates are recognized worldwide.

Is it possible to substitute 'acknowledged' for 'recognized' in the sentences above?
In #1, yes. (Though it's 'acknowledgement' rather than 'acknowledged'.
In #2, no - at least not with the same meaning.

milan, Basically, I agee with what you said in #8.