When word identification fails: ERP correlates of recognition without identification and of word identification failure

► The ERP correlate of the Recognition without Identification effect is the N300. ► The N300 emerges only among those individuals showing the behavioral RWI effect. ► Early indicators predict downstream identification success vs. failure at 125 ms. ► Early identification markers are independent of perceptual priming. ► Late persistent negativity for identification may index executive attention.