Please identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please identify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting someone to specify or recognize something, such as a person, object, or concept. Example: "Please identify the main issues in your report so we can address them effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Please identify yourself.

Forbes

Please identify yourself, unless you are dead.

Vice

"Please identify any adjacent buildings (government or commercial) that could attract acts of aggression (i.e. protest/demonstration, terrorism, etc)," the report asks.

Vice

Please identify potential areas of collaboration between your organization and ECDC.

European Journal of Public Health

And can we please identify the closet nudist in the advertising business and get rid of him or her?

The New York Times

Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) Could the MI5 chief please identify the Al Qaeda elements at the OAS, Petrobras & Ministry of Mines and Energy?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Such as the biologist Desmond Morris, whose 2004 book The Naked Woman (oh, please!) identified not one but four spots with which we should all be getting to grips: the A, C, G and U-spots.

Independent

Semi-structured interview guide 1. Please describe your current procedure for identifying smoking patients.

BMC Family Practice

Governments tend to grow as they age: coalition allies and satraps demand posts, or the ruling party installs ministers to please voters identified by caste or region.

The Economist

We were also pleased to identify completed and on-going interventions that are tailored for sub-groups of MSM with unique needs such as MSMW, drug-users, and youth.

BMC Public Health

They commented on the value of identifying latent system risks, but were also pleased to identify '… all the things we're doing to stop potential harm…' They considered the TRM as having at least as much value as other quality improvement methods and having the potential to complement existing tools such as significant event analysis (SEA) and clinical audit.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Please identify", ensure that the context clearly indicates what needs to be identified, whether it's a person, object, or concept. Providing context helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "Please identify" without specifying what should be identified. For example, instead of saying "Please identify", clarify with "Please identify the source of the information" to provide a clear direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please identify" functions as an imperative, used to issue a polite command or request. It prompts the recipient to recognize, specify, or determine something, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

53%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Please identify" is a grammatically correct and very common imperative phrase used to politely request someone to recognize or specify something. Ludwig's analysis shows it's used across various contexts, from news and media to science and formal business settings. While generally neutral to formal, its versatility allows for broad application. For alternative phrasing, consider "Kindly specify" or "Could you recognize", depending on the desired tone. According to Ludwig, ensure clear context to avoid vague identification requests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Kindly specify

Replaces "please" with "kindly", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Could you recognize

Uses a question format with "could you" instead of the imperative "please", softening the request.

Would you indicate

Replaces "please" with "would you" and "identify" with "indicate", creating a more polite and formal request.

Can you determine

Substitutes "identify" with "determine", focusing on establishing something definitively.

Please point out

Replaces "identify" with "point out", which is suitable when referring to something visible or obvious.

Define

Replaces identify when a clear and concise definition is sought.

Designate

A formal single-word alternative to "please identify".

State

Replaces "identify" with "state", appropriate when a declaration is needed.

Name

A shorter, more direct way to ask someone to identify something by its name.

Clarify

Uses "clarify" instead of "identify", emphasizing the need for better understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "Please identify" in a sentence?

Use "Please identify" to request someone to specify or recognize something. For example: "Please identify the key areas for improvement in this project", or "Please identify yourself before entering the restricted zone".

What's the difference between "Please identify" and "Please specify"?

"Please identify" is used to ask someone to recognize or point out something, while "Please specify" asks for detailed information or a precise description. The choice depends on whether you need recognition or detailed information.

What are some alternatives to saying "Please identify"?

You can use alternatives like "Kindly specify", "Could you recognize", or "Can you determine" depending on the level of formality and the context.

Is it always necessary to include "please" in a request for identification?

While "please" adds politeness, it's not always necessary. In formal or urgent contexts, you might omit it. However, including "please" generally makes the request more courteous.