be identified according to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be identified according to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying the criteria or basis on which something or someone is recognized or categorized. Example: "Individuals may be identified according to their unique identification numbers in the database."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

According to Germany's privacy laws, they can only be identified according to their first names.

The Guardian

The Turkish Foreign Ministry official, who declined to be identified according to diplomatic protocol, dismissed the raids as theater.

The New York Times

"The phantom polling centers had a vastly disproportionate number of votes," the diplomat said, declining to be identified according to diplomatic protocol.

The New York Times

"Certainly the election is generating different views within the mission," said one official, who declined to be identified, according to diplomatic protocol.

The New York Times

"There had been some uncertainty about whether he would be invited," said the spokesman, who cannot be identified according to the institution's rules.

The New York Times

A German Finance Ministry spokesman, who could not be identified according to ministry policy, said, "We think there is a good chance that this will get through Parliament".

The New York Times

The man in question cannot be identified according to the report, but Ancelotti insists it is someone with a "well-documented history of misdemeanours".

Independent

Most of the train's 554 passengers were taken to a gym hall shortly after the train was stopped to be identified, according to Le Monde.

Independent

Though the objective and the subjective, the macrocosm (universal) and the microcosm (individual), came to be identified according to their true essences, attempts were made to correlate different macrocosmic principles with corresponding microcosmic principles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was exactly like watching a kid in school who has been caught doing something," said the editor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect the identity of the victim, who cannot be identified according to Indian law.

The New York Times

The official death toll of the disaster remained at 18, though one person who was believed to have been on the train was still missing, said the spokesman, who asked not to be identified according to police policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be identified according to", ensure the criteria for identification are clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Species can be identified according to their genetic markers."

Common error

Avoid using "be identified according to" with overly broad or undefined criteria. For example, instead of "Customers are identified according to their needs", specify the needs, such as "Customers are identified according to their stated preferences for product features".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be identified according to" is to serve as a passive construction that introduces the criteria or means by which something or someone is recognized or classified. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is frequently found across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be identified according to" is a versatile expression used to specify the criteria for recognition or classification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "be recognized based on" or "be classified according to" exist, "be identified according to" maintains a neutral-to-formal tone suitable for professional and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the criteria for identification are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be recognized based on

Focuses on the act of recognition rather than the criteria used.

be classified according to

Emphasizes categorization into distinct groups.

be determined by

Highlights the factors that influence the identification.

be distinguished by

Stresses the unique characteristics used for identification.

be ascertained by

Focuses on the process of finding something out for certain.

be assessed in light of

Suggests evaluation considering particular factors.

be characterized by

Emphasizes the defining features.

be defined in terms of

Highlights how something is explained or understood.

be pinpointed by means of

Indicates a precise method of identification.

be discerned through

Implies a careful process of noticing or understanding something.

FAQs

How can I use "be identified according to" in a sentence?

Use "be identified according to" to specify the criteria used to recognize or categorize something. For example, "Patients can "be identified according to" their symptoms and medical history".

What's an alternative to "be identified according to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be recognized based on", "be classified according to", or "be determined by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be identified by" or "be identified according to"?

"Be identified by" is suitable when the means of identification is a direct characteristic. "Be identified according to" is more appropriate when the identification is based on a specific set of rules or criteria.

How does the formality of "be identified according to" compare to similar phrases?

The phrase ""be identified according to"" is generally considered neutral to formal. Less formal alternatives might include "figure out by" or "tell apart by", depending on the context.