be identified to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be identified to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not commonly used and may lead to confusion; a more appropriate phrase would be "be identified as" or "be identified by." Example: "The suspect was to be identified as a key witness in the case."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Priorities for protecting ecosystem services must be identified to ensure future human well-being.

F1000Research

All declined to be identified to avoid offending Armstrong.

The New York Times - Sports

Immature Great Black Hawks cannot safely be identified to subspecies.

Cornell University

Therefore, new materials should be identified to solve this problem.

Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids

They requested not to be identified to protect their privacy.

The New York Times

But he agreed to be identified to help persuade others to participate.

The New York Times - Health

They didn't want to be identified, to protect their mother's privacy.

The New York Times

The group asked not to be identified to protect the people who provided the internal documents.

The New York Times

What types of solutions need to be identified to eradicate racism in our lifetime?

The Guardian - Opinion

Without social media data, can customer-to-customer trends be identified to optimize personalized promotions?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Any professional photographer must be identified to the House Manager, Technical Director and Operations Manager.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be identified to" in formal writing. Instead, use more grammatically correct alternatives such as "be identified as" or "be recognized as" for clarity and precision.

Common error

A common mistake is using "to" instead of "as" after "identified". Remember that "as" indicates a role, function, or characteristic. Saying something is "identified as" something else is grammatically correct, whereas "identified to" is generally considered incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be identified to" functions as part of a passive construction where something or someone is the recipient of the identification. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

25%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be identified to" appears with considerable frequency across various sources, including scientific, news, and academic domains, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. The phrase aims to convey the act of identifying something, but it is advised to avoid it in favor of more precise and correct alternatives like "be identified as", "be recognized as", or "be linked to". Remember to choose phrases that align with the intended meaning and grammatical correctness to ensure clarity in communication. Despite its prevalence, prioritizing grammatical accuracy will enhance the quality and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be identified as

This alternative provides a direct and grammatically correct way to express the act of identifying something.

be recognized as

Focuses on the recognition aspect, implying that something is acknowledged for what it is.

be classified as

Emphasizes the categorization of something into a specific group or class.

be determined to be

Implies that an investigation or assessment has led to a specific identification.

be linked to

Suggests a connection or association between two or more things.

be associated with

Similar to "be linked to", this implies a relationship or connection.

be pinpointed as

Highlights the precision of identifying something specific.

be designated as

Focuses on officially naming or assigning a particular role or category.

be labeled as

Implies giving something a specific name or title.

be considered as

Suggests a more subjective evaluation or opinion about something.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "be identified to"?

A more grammatically sound alternative is to use "be identified as", which is widely accepted and understood in standard English.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be identified to"?

Generally, it is not appropriate to use the phrase "be identified to" in formal writing. It's best to opt for alternatives like "be recognized as" or "be classified as" for better clarity and correctness.

How does "be identified to" differ in meaning from "be identified as"?

"Be identified as" indicates a classification or role, while "be identified to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and doesn't convey a clear meaning. Always prefer "be identified as" for accuracy.

Can "be linked to" be used instead of "be identified to"?

Yes, depending on the context, "be linked to" can be a suitable alternative if you want to express a connection or association rather than a direct identification. It's crucial to consider the intended meaning when choosing a replacement.