recognisably

Recognisably is an adverb that describes something as able to be recognised or identified, often by distinctive features, style, or behavior. It is used to indicate that a person, object, or phenomenon can be clearly distinguished within a given context.

Spelling and etymology: Recognisably derives from the adjective recognisable (British English) or recognizable (American English) plus the adverbial suffix -ly. Therefore, the British form is recognisably, while the American form is recognizably. The underlying verb recognised/recognize shares similar spelling variation, with recognisable/recognizable corresponding to recognised/recognized in other forms of speech.

Usage notes and examples: The term is relatively formal and common in descriptive or analytic writing. It emphasizes recognisability based on observable traits rather than subjective impressions. Examples include: “The film’s dialogue is recognisably British in style,” “The handwriting is recognisably European,” or “The branding is recognizably American.” In general, recognisably is often used when contrasting identifiable features with other, less distinctive ones, or when pointing to cultural, linguistic, or stylistic markers.

See also: recognisable, recognizable, recognition, distinctive. While recognisably conveys a precise sense of recognisability, it is sometimes paired with more common adverbs such as clearly or distinctly in everyday prose, depending on tone and regional conventions.