as yet unidentified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as yet unidentified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been identified or recognized up to the present time. Example: "The researchers discovered a new species of plant that is as yet unidentified in the scientific community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

After hearing gunfire, Flirt — the drifters′ escort — approached the as yet unidentified vessels and challenged them.

Wikipedia

Rabelais and La Fontaine are by an as yet unidentified author.

Wikipedia

Interestingly, recognition of the H3K9 substrate appears to require an as yet unidentified modification.

Plosone

Most high-risk and all moderate-risk families have as yet unidentified mutations.

British Journal of Cancer

This may be an evolutionary artifact, or serve an as yet unidentified physiological role.

American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology

However, there might be as yet unidentified patient populations that could benefit.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Thus, other, as-yet unidentified sulfated macromolecules must contribute to infection.

Stanford University

M2a macrophages promote fusion of blood vessels through as-yet unidentified secreted factors.

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

Legal service workers will use new tools in those as-yet unidentified positions.

Forbes

Thus, an additional, as-yet unidentified factor(s) may be required to suppress p16Ink4a expression.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Infectious diseases are caused by various pathogens, including as-yet unidentified microorganisms.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as yet unidentified" when you want to emphasize that something is not only currently unknown but also that efforts to identify it may be ongoing or expected in the future. It conveys a sense of anticipation or ongoing investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "as yet unidentified" when the context already makes it clear that the subject is unknown. For example, don't say "the as yet unidentified suspect whose name we don't know" as it's redundant to state the suspect's name is unknown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as yet unidentified" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is currently unknown or unclassified. Ludwig shows that this phrase is often used in scientific and news contexts to describe things lacking identification.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as yet unidentified" is a useful phrase to denote something currently unknown but potentially discoverable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "still unknown" or "currently unknown", "as yet unidentified" carries a nuance of anticipation and ongoing inquiry. When using it, ensure it doesn't create redundancy and fits the formal tone typical of scientific or journalistic writing. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals like PlosOne.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still unknown

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the continuation of the state of being unknown.

currently unknown

Replaces the entire phrase with a shorter, more direct alternative, focusing on the present state of being unknown.

not yet recognized

Shifts the focus to a lack of recognition or acknowledgment.

not yet determined

Focuses on the lack of a decision or conclusion about the identity or nature.

whose identity is unknown

Expands the phrase to explicitly state that it is the identity that remains unknown.

to be identified

A more formal and concise way of expressing that identification is pending.

unspecified

Highlights that the details have not been explicitly stated or defined.

presently unestablished

A more formal alternative that highlights the lack of confirmation or establishment.

remains to be seen

Emphasizes that the identity or nature will be revealed in the future.

of unknown origin

Specifically addresses the unknown source or beginning of something.

FAQs

What does "as yet unidentified" mean?

The phrase "as yet unidentified" means something has not been identified or recognized up to the present time. It suggests that identification is expected or possible in the future.

How can I use "as yet unidentified" in a sentence?

You can use "as yet unidentified" to describe things like: "The police are searching for the "still unknown" perpetrator", or "Researchers have discovered an "of unknown origin" substance in the sample".

What are some alternatives to "as yet unidentified"?

Alternatives include "currently unknown", "not yet determined", or "unspecified". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as of yet unidentified" instead of "as yet unidentified"?

While "as of yet" and "as yet" are similar, "as yet unidentified" is the more common and generally preferred phrasing. "As of yet" can sometimes sound redundant, as "as" already implies a temporal aspect.