for identification purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for identification purposes' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the act of using something to identify a person or thing. For example, "Your passport will need to be scanned for identification purposes before you are allowed into the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Army staff photographed them for identification purposes.

The Guardian

He also briefly set up a business tattooing dogs for identification purposes.

The Guardian

We didn't do it for identification purposes because really nobody wants to look at it that way.

The New York Times - Magazine

He had to take the subway there, and then return home for his passport for identification purposes.

The New Yorker

Every time money is sent by telegraph the matter of a test question comes up for identification purposes.

The New Yorker

The morticians make one of three recommendations for the soldier's remains: viewable, viewable for identification purposes only, or non-viewable.

The New Yorker

The agency said its in-house fingerprint examiners "determined that the latent fingerprint was of value for identification purposes".

The New York Times

Now those wearing a facial covering must temporarily remove it for identification purposes.

Independent

Or that discourages any business from refusing to serve you unless you reveal the SSN that the government professes "may not be used for identification purposes"?

The New York Times

Dr. Passes had just fixed a tooth for the man and made sure she had the most recent x-rays for identification purposes.

The New York Times

Let him drift away like those remote descendants of Richard III whose DNA was traced to Canada for identification purposes in Leicester.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for identification purposes", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being identified and why it is necessary. For example, "Please provide your passport for identification purposes to verify your identity".

Common error

Avoid using overly verbose explanations following "for identification purposes". For example, instead of saying "The photograph is for identification purposes, so we can know who the person is", simply state "The photograph is for identification purposes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for identification purposes" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, modifying a verb or clause to explain the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig provides examples that showcase its utility in clarifying the objective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for identification purposes" is a versatile phrase used to clarify the reason behind actions or requests related to identifying individuals or objects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts like news, science, and general communication. The phrase's neutrality and professional tone make it suitable for formal and informal settings. Remembering to avoid redundancy and clearly state what is being identified will enhance your writing. Using alternatives such as "to enable identification" or "in order to identify" can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to enable identification

Focuses on the action of enabling identification rather than the purpose.

with the aim of identification

Highlights the goal or aim of identifying something.

so as to identify

Emphasizes the intention to identify.

in order to identify

Similar to "so as to identify" but slightly more formal.

for the sake of identification

Emphasizes the value or importance of identification.

to facilitate recognition

Uses 'recognition' instead of 'identification', suggesting a slightly broader scope.

with a view to identifying

Implies a more forward-looking or strategic approach to identification.

designed for recognition

Focuses on the design aspect with the aim of making something identifiable.

as a means of identification

Highlights the use of something as a method for identification.

serving an identifying function

Emphasizes the role or function of something in the process of identification.

FAQs

How can I use "for identification purposes" in a sentence?

Use "for identification purposes" to explain why something is needed or done to identify a person or object. For example, "Please provide your driver's license "for identification purposes"".

What are some alternatives to saying "for identification purposes"?

You can use phrases like "to enable identification", "with the aim of identification", or "in order to identify" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to follow "for identification purposes" with an explanation of why identification is needed?

In many cases, yes. The phrase "for identification purposes" itself indicates the reason, so adding further explanation can be redundant. However, if the context is unclear, a brief clarification may be helpful.

What kind of documents are commonly requested "for identification purposes"?

Common documents include driver's licenses, passports, and other government-issued IDs. The specific document needed depends on the context, such as opening a bank account or boarding an airplane.