able to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

It is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone or something's capacity to recognize, distinguish, or understand something. For example: The software was able to identify the various objects in the image quickly and accurately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was not able to identify anything.

The New York Times

TM was not able to identify her attacker by name.

The Guardian

No prosecution witness was able to identify Berhe as Mered.

The Guardian

Will you be able to identify the next bubble?

The New York Times

"We've been able to identify with our customers here".

The New York Times

I'm only just beginning to be able to identify them.

The New Yorker

You should certainly be able to identify with that.

The Guardian - Books

Are they able to identify all of the concpts?

The New York Times

I prefer to be able to identify what I'm eating.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We're able to identify what's going to play," Plantier said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is important to be able to identify people uniquely".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to identify" when you want to emphasize the capacity or capability to recognize, distinguish, or ascertain something. It implies a degree of competence or readiness.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily converting active sentences with "able to identify" into passive constructions. For example, instead of "The error was able to be identified by the system", prefer "The system was "able to identify" the error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to identify" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive. It describes the capacity or capability of a subject to perform the action of identifying something. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show a wide range of subjects being described as having this capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

52%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to identify" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to express the capacity to recognize or discern something. According to Ludwig, its usage spans from formal scientific reports to general news articles. Its frequency is very common. While the phrase itself doesn't denote a specific register, its suitability may vary depending on the surrounding vocabulary. When writing, remember that direct active voice tends to make a stronger impact than converting it into passive voice and Ludwig AI shows a lot of real world examples of this phrase being used in well known publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of identifying

Replaces "able" with a synonym, emphasizing inherent capacity.

qualified to identify

Stresses meeting the necessary criteria for identification.

has the ability to identify

Rephrases using "ability", making the capacity more explicit.

competent to recognize

Emphasizes the skill or competence to recognize.

in a position to identify

Focuses on the circumstances allowing identification.

prepared to recognize

Highlights readiness and anticipation in recognizing something.

equipped to identify

Highlights the resources or tools available for identification.

in a state to recognize

Emphasizes the condition that allows for recognition.

fit to determine

Focuses on the suitability or appropriateness for determining.

can discern

Uses a more formal verb, "discern", to convey identification.

FAQs

What does "able to identify" mean?

The phrase "able to identify" means having the capacity or capability to recognize, distinguish, or ascertain something. It implies a degree of competence or readiness in recognizing something.

How can I use "able to identify" in a sentence?

You can use "able to identify" to describe someone or something's capacity to recognize or determine something. For example, "The software was "able to identify" the various objects in the image quickly and accurately."

What are some alternatives to "able to identify"?

You can use alternatives like "capable of identifying", "in a position to identify", or "equipped to identify" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "able to identify" formal or informal?

"Able to identify" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.