fixed an identity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fixed an identity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has established or confirmed a specific identity, often in relation to a person or a character. Example: "After much investigation, the detective fixed an identity for the suspect based on the evidence collected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It sounds like too fixed an identity for somebody as protean as a preschooler.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If our new century is unsettlingly transitional, it becomes even more difficult to fix an individual identity within it -- especially given the fear that, as Cayce's tech-geek colleague worries, there will soon be no national identity left.

The New York Times - Books

What he understands is that being a man today – or a woman – is organic, not fixed, an ongoing fragile building of identity, ever more difficult in the onslaught from the commercial market.

The Guardian - Opinion

These are all related to an effort to fix a civic identity on an elusive entity, the City of Angels".

The New York Times

He is also drawn to a mystical view that identity is not fixed: "A human being creates his identity in creating his oeuvre".

The Guardian

Addiction is not an illness, but rather a fixed, static identity that functions as a protective shield against using substances.

Vice

Think of Bruno Mars or Kelly Clarkson, who jump freely from genre to genre, connecting with fans through their charisma and vocal ability more than through a fixed stylistic identity.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Meltzer's purposefully vexing film is itself less a definitive account of the talkative Mr. Darby than a work focused on the problem of painting a fixed portrait of identity and motivations.

The New York Times

Having a call-back number, Chipchase likes to say, is having a fixed identity point, which, inside of populations that are constantly on the move — displaced by war, floods, drought or faltering economies — can be immensely valuable both as a means of keeping in touch with home communities and as a business tool.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now that the film's done, has this process changed your opinion on whether someone actually can have a fixed identity?

Vice

The idea here is that since everything in the universe is in flux -- the ocean, the coffee table and your bank account -- then nothing has a fixed identity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fixed an identity", ensure the context clearly indicates that an identity has been definitively established or confirmed. Consider stronger verbs like 'established' or 'confirmed' for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fixed an identity" when referring to identities that are fluid or subject to change. The term implies a static, unchanging state, which may be inappropriate for describing evolving personal or social identities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fixed an identity" functions as a verb phrase, where "fixed" acts as a transitive verb taking "an identity" as its direct object. It describes the action of establishing or determining a specific identity. According to Ludwig, this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fixed an identity" is a grammatically correct but relatively rare expression used to describe the definitive establishment or confirmation of an identity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples of its use in various contexts, including news, media, and scientific domains. While versatile, it is crucial to use this phrase judiciously, particularly when discussing evolving concepts like gender identity. Alternatives such as "established an identity" or "confirmed an identity" may offer greater clarity or nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

established an identity

Focuses on the act of setting up or creating an identity.

confirmed an identity

Emphasizes the validation or verification of a pre-existing identity.

determined an identity

Highlights the process of discovering or figuring out an identity.

ascertained an identity

Implies a careful and thorough investigation to establish identity.

identified an identity

Focuses on recognizing or pointing out a specific identity.

solidified an identity

Suggests making an identity stronger or more stable.

defined an identity

Implies setting clear boundaries or characteristics for an identity.

settled an identity

Suggests resolving any uncertainty or ambiguity about an identity.

clarified an identity

Focuses on making an identity easier to understand.

resolved an identity

Highlights the solution of a problem or question related to identity.

FAQs

What does "fixed an identity" mean?

The phrase "fixed an identity" means to have definitively established, determined, or confirmed someone or something's identity. It suggests that the identity is no longer uncertain or in question.

What can I say instead of "fixed an identity"?

You can use alternatives like "established an identity", "confirmed an identity", or "determined an identity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fixed an identity" when discussing gender?

Using "fixed an identity" in the context of gender may be problematic because gender identity is often understood as fluid and evolving. It might be more appropriate to use terms like "explored their gender identity" or "expressed their gender identity" instead.

How do you use "fixed an identity" in a sentence?

You can use "fixed an identity" in a sentence like this: "After much investigation, the detective fixed an identity for the suspect using DNA evidence".