I identified him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I identified him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you recognized or determined the identity of a person. Example: "During the investigation, I identified him as the main suspect in the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I identified him and I nearly collapsed, I've never seen anything so terrible.

Independent

He faux-congenially asked my name, and then pretended not to be Kevin Gentry, although I identified him immediately.

Huffington Post

He was Dan the Farmer Man, I talked about him on stage, and it was great because he held up his beer when I identified him.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"If I identify him or her, then I want to clone myself".

The Guardian - Music

On the way to meet Radiohead producer and all-round musical wizard Nigel Godrich, I'm hit with a pang of anxiety: can I identify him in a crowd?

The Guardian - Music

(I identify him as my friend only in the interest of disclosure).

Huffington Post

In that sense, I identify him with a time long ago when politicians and reporters were natural antagonists but not mortal enemies, when there was a bond of mutual regard not only for each other's (sometimes well-hidden) decency, but also for Commonwealth and Country.

Huffington Post

Within minutes of searching, I was almost positive I'd identified him.

Huffington Post

Her brother identified the body, and her account ("I don't think I would have wanted") suggests that she did not really consider going to see his body at the hospital: Susan: He was brought back to the local hospital where my brother identified him, I think.

British Medical Journal

When I asked the proprietor if I could identify him in this column, he wrinkled his nose and shook his head.

The New Yorker

"What was so scary was the raw emotion of Bogart's character, but at the same time I identified with him; I was drawn to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I identified him", ensure the context clearly indicates how you identified him (e.g., through a photo, a description, etc.). Provide additional context for clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring it's clear you performed the identification. Saying "He was identified" lacks the directness and clarity of "I identified him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I identified him" functions as a declarative statement. It expresses a completed action of recognition or determination of identity. Ludwig AI considers this construction grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I identified him" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to express that you recognized or determined the identity of someone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides multiple real-world examples, predominantly from news and media sources. While neutral in register, it's essential to provide context on how the identification was made for clarity. Alternative phrases such as "I recognized him" or "I determined his identity" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I recognized him

Replaces "identified" with "recognized", emphasizing familiarity.

I determined who he was

Clarifies that the identification was about establishing his identity.

I pinpointed his identity

More formal and emphasizes precise determination.

I found out who he was

Focuses on gaining the knowledge of his identity.

I figured out his identity

More informal, suggests a process of discovery.

I picked him out

Emphasizes selecting him from a group.

I ascertained his identity

Highly formal and emphasizes certainty.

I spotted him

Focuses on visually recognizing him, usually in a crowd.

I unmasked him

Implies revealing a previously hidden identity.

I associated him with

Changes the focus to linking him to something else, rather than pure identification.

FAQs

What does "I identified him" mean?

The phrase "I identified him" means that you recognized someone or determined their identity. It implies you were able to ascertain who the person was through some means.

What can I say instead of "I identified him"?

You can use alternatives like "I recognized him", "I determined his identity", or "I figured out his identity depending on the context.

Is "I identified him" formal or informal?

The phrase "I identified him" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives exist for very formal situations.

How to use "I identified him" in a sentence?

You can use "I identified him" to describe an action you took to recognize or determine someone's identity, such as: "After reviewing the security footage, "I identified him" as the perpetrator."