come to identifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come to identifying" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the process of reaching a conclusion or understanding something, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "After much discussion, we finally come to identifying the main issues at hand."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And you're telling me that the closest anyone can come to identifying this . . .

The New Yorker

The closer we come to identifying where an outbreak will occur and which disease will be the likely culprit, the faster we can prioritize areas of highest risk.

Huffington Post

The closest they have come to identifying a signature protein for this group is the Minf_1886 protein that is only found in Planctomycetes and Verrucomicrobia, but not in any of the chlamydiae.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Berkowitz had also come to identify with him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Could they come to identify her? Her tiny frame was swollen and charred, her face unrecognizable.

The New York Times

He added that through his marriage he has come to identify more as Native American.

The New York Times

They have come to identify totally with the characters in the story.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the boys will come to identify as gay or bisexual.

Independent

I've come to identify with these guys, not because we're inmates, but because we're human beings.

The New York Times - Health

In written remarks, he also said that his department had "come to identify a relationship between rapid growth and failure to maintain administrative capacity".

The New York Times

After this final retirement, he continued to live in north Staffordshire, which he had come to identify with while at Keele.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process of gradual understanding or recognition, consider using alternatives like "begin to identify" or "start identifying" for clearer communication. Replace the phrase with "begin to identify" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "come to" directly before a gerund (verb ending in -ing) like "identifying". Instead, rephrase to use a more standard construction such as "begin to identify" or "start identifying" for better grammatical flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to identifying" attempts to express the process of reaching a stage where identification begins. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically questionable. A gerund should not be directly used after "come to".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "come to identifying" appears in various sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect according to Ludwig AI. Its intended meaning revolves around reaching a point where identification begins, but clearer alternatives such as "begin to identify" or "start identifying" are recommended. The phrase surfaces in news and scientific contexts but is less suitable for formal settings due to its grammatical ambiguity. Consider using the more correct and easily understood forms in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive at identifying

Indicates reaching a specific stage in a process related to identification, maintaining the gerund form.

reach the point of identifying

More explicitly states the act of arriving at the stage of identification, adding a sense of progression.

begin to identify

Emphasizes the initiation of the identification process, similar to "start identifying" but with a slightly different nuance.

start identifying

Focuses on the beginning of the identification process, omitting the aspect of reaching a conclusion.

succeed in identifying

Similar to "manage to identify", emphasizing the accomplishment of identifying something.

manage to identify

Highlights the successful completion of the identification process, adding an element of capability.

start to recognize

Similar to "begin recognizing" but more concise.

come to recognize

Shifts the focus from identifying to recognizing, implying a more intuitive understanding.

begin recognizing

Highlights a start of process with verb recognizing and excludes aspect of reaching.

grow to identify

Indicates gradual development of identification abilities, showing evolution over time.

FAQs

What's grammatically correct: "come to identify" or "come to identifying"?

"Come to identify" is grammatically correct as it uses the base form of the verb after "to". "Come to identifying" is generally considered incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests the phrase is not correct.

How can I rephrase "come to identifying" to improve clarity?

To enhance clarity, consider alternatives such as "begin to identify", "start identifying", or "reach the point of identifying". These options provide a more standard and easily understandable construction.

Is "arrive at identifying" a suitable alternative to "come to identifying"?

Yes, "arrive at identifying" is a grammatically sound alternative that conveys the idea of reaching a specific stage in the identification process, offering a clearer and more precise expression.

What are some other ways to express the idea of gradually starting to identify something?

You could use phrases like "grow to identify" to indicate a gradual development of identification abilities or "begin recognizing" to highlight the start of recognizing something.