identified themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identified themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to individuals or groups who have revealed their identity or made it known who they are. Example: "During the meeting, several participants identified themselves and shared their roles within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Half identified themselves as white.

The Economist

Three identified themselves as Republicans.

The New York Times

(They sometimes identified themselves as "folk-jazz").

The New Yorker

Just 20% identified themselves as Republican.

The Economist

But before they left, they identified themselves.

Independent

Some Muslims identified themselves and were spared.

The New York Times

"They identified themselves as Turkish Special Forces".

The New York Times

Instead, they identified themselves as English.

The Guardian

Thirteen percent identified themselves as Hispanic.

The Washington Post

(Less than 3 percent identified themselves as Italians).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of those polled, 15percentt identified themselves as smokers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "identified themselves" when you want to emphasize the act of individuals or groups making their identities known, especially in contexts where this identification is significant or relevant to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not using "themselves" when it's clear from the context who is doing the identifying. For example, instead of "The officers identified themselves themselves", say "The officers identified themselves."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identified themselves" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of individuals or groups revealing or making known their identities. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showcasing numerous examples where the phrase serves to denote self-identification in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "identified themselves" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that individuals or groups have revealed their identities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread application across various contexts. It's grammatically sound and frequently found in news, scientific reports, and encyclopedia articles. Alternatives like "revealed their identities" or "introduced themselves" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid redundancy and use the phrase accurately to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealed their identities

Focuses on the act of making one's identity known, emphasizing disclosure.

stated who they were

Directly expresses the act of declaring one's identity.

introduced themselves

Emphasizes the act of presenting oneself to others.

declared their affiliation

Highlights the announcement of a group or cause they belong to.

named their association

Focuses on specifying a group or organization they are connected to.

classified themselves

Implies a formal or structured categorization of their identity.

professed to be

Implies a strong declaration or assertion of identity.

designated their status

Highlights the act of assigning a specific label or position to themselves.

specified their designation

Focuses on the act of clearly indicating their role or title.

indicated their preference

Shifts the focus to expressing a choice or inclination.

FAQs

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

Use "identified themselves" to describe an instance where individuals or groups made their identities known. For example, "The witnesses "identified themselves" to the police."

What are some alternatives to "identified themselves"?

Alternatives include "revealed their identities", "stated who they were", or "introduced themselves" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "they identified themselves themselves"?

Yes, saying "they identified themselves themselves" is redundant. The correct usage is simply "they identified themselves". The reflexive pronoun "themselves" already indicates that the subject and object of the verb are the same.

What's the difference between "identified themselves" and "described themselves"?

"Identified themselves" implies stating a definitive identity, while "described themselves" suggests providing characteristics or qualities. For example, someone might "identify themselves" as a doctor but "describe themselves" as caring and detail-oriented.