identified them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identified them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of recognizing or determining the identity of specific individuals or items. Example: "After thorough investigation, the team identified them as the main suspects in the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

You just identified them".

The New Yorker

We haven't identified them".

The New York Times

The families of the "captives" identified them.

The New Yorker

It identified them as "victims of terrorism".

The Guardian

He identified them as follows: *Alston & Bird.

The New York Times

Families identified them by their clothes.

The New York Times

Officials identified them as Mr. Atta and Abdul Alomari.

The New York Times

She identified them as the murder weapons, he said.

The New York Times

Brown has identified them as the cornerstones of the team.

The New York Times

He identified them as Chamtu, Sultan Rehman and Musa.

The New York Times

MI5 noted these people, but never identified them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "identified them", ensure the context clearly indicates how the identification was made (e.g., through DNA analysis, eyewitness testimony, etc.) to provide a more complete understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "identified them" without specifying the criteria or method used for identification. Otherwise, the statement lacks clarity and could be misinterpreted. Instead, specify how the identification process occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identified them" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "identified" is the verb and "them" is the direct object. Ludwig shows that the phrase is used to indicate the act of recognizing or determining the identity of specific entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "identified them" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the act of recognizing or determining the identity of individuals or items. According to Ludwig, this phrase is mostly used in news and media and science contexts. When using "identified them", it's crucial to provide sufficient context about the method or criteria used for identification to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "recognized them" or "determined their identity" may be suitable depending on the specific context. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase's validity and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognized them

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning of acknowledging someone or something previously known.

determined their identity

Replaces the verb with a more formal and explicit description of the action.

ascertained their identities

Employs a more formal and precise verb choice.

figured out who they were

Uses a more informal and explanatory phrasing.

found out who they were

Similar to 'figured out' but with a slightly different connotation.

discovered their names

Focuses specifically on finding out the names of individuals.

put a name to them

An idiomatic expression indicating the act of identifying someone.

established their credentials

Focuses on verifying the qualifications or background of individuals.

knew who they were

Expresses prior knowledge rather than the act of identifying.

labeled them

Implies assigning a category or classification.

FAQs

How can I use "identified them" in a sentence?

Use "identified them" when you want to express that someone or something has been recognized or their identity has been determined. For example, "The police "identified them" as suspects in the robbery."

What are some alternatives to using "identified them"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "recognized them", "determined their identity", or "ascertained their identities".

Is there a difference between "identified them" and "recognized them"?

"Identified them" suggests a more formal process of establishing identity, while "recognized them" implies a familiarity or previous knowledge. The choice depends on the context.

What's the best way to provide context when using "identified them"?

To provide context, specify how the identification was made. For example, "The forensic team "identified them" through DNA analysis" or "Witnesses "identified them" in a police lineup".