identifier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identifier" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as programming, data management, or any situation where a unique name or label is needed to distinguish an item or entity. Example: "In the database, each user is assigned a unique identifier to ensure accurate tracking of their information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even before a device hooks onto a Wi-Fi a network, it continuously spews identifying information, including a unique, factory-set identifier, over the air.

The Economist

One way they do this is through "cookies", tiny snippets of data stored in users' web browsers that allow websites to identify those users (not by name, but by a unique identifier).

The Economist

The FISA court orders the major phone companies to deliver "all call-detail records or 'telephony metadata,' " defined as comprehensive communications routing information, including but not limited to session identifying information (e.g., originating and terminating telephone number, communications device identifier, etc), trunk identifier, and time and duration of call.

The New Yorker

The technology used brief sequences of DNA to establish a standard identifier for a given species so that future specimens could be easily identified.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The key sends a signal to the car with a unique identifier and a command to either lock or unlock the car.

The Guardian - Tech

"Value-added tax receipts issued to customers will list a unique identifier for the merchant.

The Guardian - Money

Naresh has one and his surname is Putra, so it's not an actual identifier, it's a pride thing.

The Guardian

From then on, therefore, false monogrammed prints "after Dürer" kept appearing, confusing collectors to this day.A trademark was not the only identifier Dürer put on his pictures.

The Economist

The information collected includes the phone numbers of callers and recipients, the unique identifier numbers of phones used on calls, and the time and duration of the conversations.

The Economist

The order is first assigned to the van that is to deliver the goods and then sent on to a "picking trolley", a shopping cart with a screen and "shelf identifier" software that takes the picker to where each item is found.

The Economist

An electronic health identifier will be issued for each Australian who wants one.By December 2011 every Australian student in the middle and senior high-school years will have a computer, with fibre linking all our schools.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In programming, use descriptive names for identifiers to improve code readability and maintainability. For example, instead of 'x', use 'user_id'.

Common error

Don't use "identifier" when you mean "identity". "Identifier" is something that represents an identity, not the identity itself. For example, a social security number is an identifier, not your identity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "identifier" is that of a noun. It typically serves as a subject or object within a sentence, denoting something that serves to identify. Ludwig AI shows its diverse application across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "identifier" is a common noun used to denote something that uniquely distinguishes or names an entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, encyclopedias and formal business documents. When writing, remember that an "identifier" is not the same as an "identity"—the former represents the latter. Consider synonyms like "designation", "marker", or "label" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ID

A short, common abbreviation for identification.

designation

Focuses on the act of formally assigning a name or label.

marker

Emphasizes something that serves to distinguish or indicate.

label

Highlights a piece of paper or tag attached to something to give information about it.

tag

Similar to label, often used for quick identification.

code

Implies a system of symbols used for identification.

index

Suggests a systematic listing for easy lookup.

reference

Indicates something used to find information.

symbol

Represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention.

key

Suggests something crucial for unlocking or accessing information.

FAQs

How to use "identifier" in a sentence?

The system assigns a unique "identifier" to each user. Ensure the "identifier" accurately reflects the data it represents.

What can I say instead of "identifier"?

You can use alternatives like "designation", "marker", or "label" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "identifier" or "identification"?

"Identifier" is a noun referring to something that identifies. "Identification" is the act of identifying or the state of being identified. Use "identifier" to name something that identifies, and "identification" to denote the process.

What's the difference between "identifier" and "attribute"?

An "identifier" uniquely distinguishes an object, while an attribute describes a characteristic or property of that object. The "identifier" helps locate an object, while the attribute provides more information about it.