"I don't recognize you" vs "I didn't recognise you"

Question

"I don't recognize you" vs "I didn't recognise you"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I don't recognize you" is in the present tense, indicating that the speaker currently does not know the person. On the other hand, "I didn't recognise you" is in the past tense, suggesting that the speaker did not know the person at a specific point in the past.

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

This phrase is used in the present tense to indicate that the speaker currently does not know the person they are talking to.

Examples:

I don't recognize you. Have we met before?
I don't recognize you without your glasses.
I don't recognize you with that new hairstyle.
I don't recognize you in that outfit.
I don't recognize you without your beard.

Alternatives:

I don't know you.
I'm not familiar with you.
I can't place you.
I haven't seen you before.
You look different. I don't recognize you.

This phrase is used in the past tense to indicate that the speaker did not know the person at a specific point in the past.

Examples:

I didn't recognise you with your new haircut.
I didn't recognise you in that costume.
I didn't recognise you without your usual glasses.
I didn't recognise you at first.
I didn't recognise you until you spoke.

Alternatives:

I didn't know you.
I didn't realize it was you.
I didn't remember you.
I didn't recall meeting you.
I didn't recognize you at first.

Answer 1

I don't recognize you

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

I didn't recognise you

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I don't recognize you" vs "I didn't recognise you"

I don't recognize you

I didn't recognise you

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