identifiable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identifiable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that can be recognized or distinguished from others. Example: "The symptoms of the disease are identifiable and can help in diagnosing the condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If we had, current procedures would have identified concerns from the outset as this involved potentially identifiable and sensitive information".

The Guardian

"This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the Chamber galleries, without needing to be identifiable".

The Guardian

The Hollywood Reporter once observed: "There aren't many composers whose music is immediately identifiable after just a couple of whistled notes".

The Guardian - Music

But others, including health secretary Jeremy Hunt, aware of rising obesity levels among primary school children, are keen to see specific binding policies put in place to show the government has delivered an identifiable policy legacy.

The Guardian

Media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether the BBC took due care of the welfare of the child because he was identifiable and his remarks could cause a backlash.

The Guardian

They were born into a world where music is digital, copiable and identifiable online.

The Guardian - Opinion

For your local taxpayer-subsidised theatre, low-tech high-return junk such as standup comedy, discredited TV psychics and Abba tribute acts float more worthwhile artists with identifiable skills – dancers, actors, puppeteers and ex-members of the Stranglers doing acoustic tours.

The Guardian - Opinion

The values of money and keeping up appearances are identifiable at once.

The Guardian - Books

In a world where even the Tory prime minister's wife has been gunned with an ankle dolphin, you might think that an absence of ink was more identifiable than a lack of it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Anyone still interested should know the jobs are closed to those with tattoos on the face, neck or forearm, which are likely to make them more identifiable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The nameless "other" becomes the identifiable "I"; the unimaginably different becomes remarkably familiar.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data privacy, use "identifiable" to emphasize the risk of revealing an individual's identity through specific pieces of information.

Common error

Avoid using "identifiable" interchangeably with "identical". "Identifiable" means capable of being recognized, while "identical" means exactly the same.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "identifiable" functions primarily to describe something that is capable of being recognized or distinguished. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that an object or characteristic has features that allow it to be identified among others. Examples in the search data show its use in contexts ranging from accents to policy legacies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "identifiable" means capable of being recognized or distinguished. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, formal business, and scientific sources. When writing, remember that "identifiable" is not interchangeable with "identical". Use "identifiable" to emphasize the presence of unique attributes that enable recognition, and consider alternatives like "recognizable" or "distinguishable" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizable

Slightly more common and implies an immediate or easy recognition.

distinguishable

Focuses on the ability to tell something apart from others due to distinct characteristics.

detectable

Emphasizes the ability to discover or perceive something, often through specific methods.

discernible

Implies a more subtle or careful observation to be recognized.

noticeable

Indicates something that is easily observed or attracts attention.

perceptible

Suggests something that can be sensed or perceived by the senses.

traceable

Implies the ability to follow or track something back to its origin or cause.

definable

Focuses on the ability to clearly state the meaning or boundaries of something.

nameable

Emphasizes the ability to give something a specific name or label.

determinable

Implies the ability to establish or find something out with certainty.

FAQs

How do you use "identifiable" in a sentence?

You can use "identifiable" to describe something that can be recognized or distinguished. For example, "The suspect had an "identifiable tattoo" on his arm".

What can I say instead of "identifiable"?

You can use alternatives like "recognizable", "distinguishable", or "detectable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "identifiable characteristic" or "identified characteristic"?

"Identifiable characteristic" refers to a characteristic that can be recognized. "Identified characteristic" refers to a characteristic that has already been recognized or pointed out. Choose based on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "identifiable" and "recognizable"?

While both words mean able to be recognized, "identifiable" often implies that something can be distinguished through specific features, whereas "recognizable" suggests an immediate or easy recognition.