Cool MateAccomplish vs Realize
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accomplish
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Realize
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
| Accomplish | Realize | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌmplɪʃ/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃt/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːəlaɪz//ˈrɪəlaɪz/","/ˈriːəlaɪzɪz//ˈrɪəlaɪzɪz/","/ˈriːəlaɪzd//ˈrɪəlaɪzd/","/ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ//ˈrɪəlaɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːəlaɪz/","/ˈriːəlaɪzɪz/","/ˈriːəlaɪzd/","/ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To successfully complete something. | To understand something clearly. |
| Example | The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. | I didn't realize how important that meeting was until it was too late. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | successfully, easily | fully, dimly, suddenly, begin to, come to, make somebody, with, without realizing (something) |
| Antonyms | fail, neglect, abandon | ignore, overlook, miss |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'accomplished' which is an adjective., Using 'accomplish' without an object (e.g., saying 'I accomplish.' instead of 'I accomplish my goals.'). | Confusing 'realize' with 'realised' in British English., Using 'realize' without an object (e.g. 'I realized that' is correct)., Mixing up 'realize' with 'recognize'; they have different meanings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'accomplish' when referring to achieving goals or tasks, typically in a positive context. It may not be appropriate for casual or less formal situations where simpler words like 'do' might work better. | Use 'realize' when you come to a new understanding or awareness of something. It's neutral and suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it in very formal writing where 'become aware of' might be preferred. |
Frequently asked questions: Accomplish vs Realize
What's the difference between Accomplish and Realize?
Accomplish: To successfully complete something. Realize: To understand something clearly.
Are Accomplish and Realize the same CEFR level?
Accomplish: B2, Realize: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Accomplish and Realize interchangeably?
Not always. Accomplish and Realize are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.