To identifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To identifying" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "To identify" when expressing the purpose or intention of identifying something. Example: "The main goal of the project is to identify the key factors affecting productivity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

As a woman I'm used to identifying with male characters.

The Guardian - Film

I'm hopeless when it comes to identifying birds of prey.

The Guardian - Money

"Sadly we're no closer to identifying any suspects.

The Guardian

This makes clinics ideally suited to identifying emerging superbugs.

The New Yorker

When it comes to identifying those responsible for this fiasco, the list is almost endless.

The Guardian - Sport

Nevertheless, they acknowledge devoting considerable resources to identifying potential new donors.

The New York Times - Arts

Grijzenhout realised it could be the key to identifying several well-known Delft street scenes.

The Guardian - Arts

But it's nicer to be free from the attachment to identifying with it".

The New York Times - Magazine

Brennan says he's looking forward to identifying areas where redundancies can be eliminated.

The Guardian

The test should be a gateway to identifying and assembling that support.

The Guardian - Opinion

The study recommends shifting the focus of inspection from "detecting objects" to identifying high-risk passengers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to use the gerund form ("identifying"), precede it with "for" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Don't use "to" directly before a gerund (a verb ending in -ing) when expressing purpose. Using "to identifying" is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use the base form of the verb with "to" (e.g., "to identify") or rephrase using "for identifying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To identifying" attempts to function as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct form is "to identify".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to identifying" is frequently found across diverse sources, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "to identify". This aims to express purpose or intention behind an action. Despite its common occurrence, especially in news and scientific contexts, this usage is inappropriate in formal writing. Always ensure that "to" is followed by the base form of the verb. You may consider using alternatives such as "in order to identify" or "for identifying", depending on the context, to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To identify

Corrects the grammatical error by using the base form of the verb instead of the gerund. It keeps the original meaning of the phrase.

In order to identify

Adds "in order" for emphasis on the purpose. This version is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

For identifying

Uses the preposition "for" to introduce the purpose, requiring the gerund form of the verb. This option changes the structure slightly.

With the aim of identifying

Specifies the intention more explicitly, adding formality.

Intending to identify

Uses a participle phrase to indicate the purpose, altering the sentence structure.

The purpose of identifying

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase specifying the goal.

Aimed at identifying

Uses a passive construction focusing on the action's target.

Focused on identifying

Similar to 'aimed at', highlighting the concentration on identification.

Directed toward identifying

More formal and directional, indicating a deliberate path.

With a view to identifying

An idiomatic expression showing intent, more common in British English.

FAQs

Why is "to identifying" considered grammatically incorrect?

In English grammar, "to" is typically followed by the base form of a verb (the infinitive). The phrase "to identifying" uses the gerund form ("identifying"), which is not correct. The correct form is "to identify".

When should I use "for identifying" instead of "to identify"?

Use "for identifying" when "identifying" functions as a noun, often after a preposition like "for". For example: "This tool is useful "for identifying" potential risks."

What are some alternatives to "to identifying" that I can use in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use phrases like "in order to identify", "with the aim of identifying", or "for the purpose of identifying" to express purpose more precisely.

How can I avoid mistakes when using "to identify" in my writing?

Double-check that "to" is always followed by the base form of the verb. If you're unsure, try rephrasing the sentence using "in order to" or "for identifying" to ensure grammatical correctness.