identifiers

USAGE SUMMARY

'identifiers' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is often used to refer to things like identification numbers, passwords, keycodes, and other elements used to authenticate and identify a person or entity. For example: "A unique identifier was issued to each customer to ensure their identity was verified."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Using contact chaining," Olsen wrote, "N.S.A. may be able to discover previously unknown telephone identifiers used by a known terrorist operative . . . to identify hubs or common contacts between targets of interest who were previously thought to be unconnected, and potentially to discover individuals willing to become US Government assets".

The New Yorker

An index of a file is much like an index of a book; it consists of a listing of identifiers that distinguish the records (e.g., names might be used to identify personnel records), along with the records' locations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Guardian can reveal an employee of the agency inadvertently sent the passport numbers, visa details and other personal identifiers of all world leaders attending the summit to the organisers of the Asian Cup football tournament.

The Guardian

But all of the photographs had identifiers embedded within them and the numbers of regime facilities where the people had been killed.

The Guardian

The officer wrote that it was "unlikely that the information is in the public domain", and said the absence of other personal identifiers "limits significantly" the risk of the breach.

The Guardian

There has long been talk of using biometric identifiers such as fingerprints or face-recognition technology to add an extra layer of security, but these have yet to catch on widely.And even if they were to become more widespread, they would not protect firms from rogue staff.

The Economist

To do so, it needs to know their likes and purchases as well as their identifiers and demographics, including name, sex, age, address, current location and income bracket.

The Economist

For its part, KISSmetrics assures that identifiers were not exchanged among unrelated sites.

The Economist

A group dubbed "AntiSec", which is affiliated with Anonymous, a prominent group of hackers, has leaked a file containing over 1m unique device identifiers (UDIDs) from the tech giant.

The Economist

But the FBI has publicly pooh-poohed this claim in turn, saying it never had the identifiers and that reports that one of its laptops has been compromised are "totally false".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For instance, Rovane claims that it is unsurprising that we are reliable self-identifiers, given that understanding ourselves and our place in the world is required for genuine agency.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "identifiers" to refer to multiple identifying elements, and "identifier" for a single element.

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "identifier" when referring to a collection or group of identifying elements. Use the plural form "identifiers" in such cases to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "identifiers" is as a plural noun. It typically serves as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition, denoting multiple things that serve to identify.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "identifiers" functions as a plural noun denoting things that identify. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. Its register ranges from neutral to formal. When writing about data privacy or identification methods, consider using synonyms like "designations" or "descriptors" to add variety to your writing. Remember to use "identifiers" for plural references and "identifier" for singular ones, and always specify which "identifiers" you are referencing for better clarity. Based on the numerous examples found by Ludwig, the phrase "identifiers" is undeniably a useful and correct component of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designations

Focuses on the act of assigning a name or label.

designators

Highlights the role of something that points out or specifies.

labels

Emphasizes the function of attaching a descriptive tag.

attributes

Refers to characteristics or qualities that distinguish something.

identifications

Stresses the process of recognizing or establishing identity.

descriptors

Focuses on the elements that describe or characterize something.

pointers

Implies elements that indicate or direct attention to something specific.

unique codes

Highlights the uniqueness and coded nature of the identifying element.

distinguishing marks

Refers to unique features that set something apart.

index terms

Highlights identifiers used for categorization and retrieval.

FAQs

How are "identifiers" used in data anonymization?

In data anonymization, "identifiers" like names, addresses, and ID numbers are removed or altered to protect privacy.

What are examples of personal "identifiers"?

Examples of personal "identifiers" include names, addresses, social security numbers, and biometric data.

Can you use "designations" instead of "identifiers"?

Yes, you can use "designations" as a synonym for "identifiers", especially when referring to assigned names or labels.

What's the difference between "identifiers" and "attributes"?

"Identifiers" are used to uniquely identify something, while "attributes" are characteristics or qualities that describe it.