identifies

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'identifies' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in sentences that refer to the action of recognizing or determining someone or something. For example: "The detective examined the clues, and eventually identified the suspect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is it clear that Lee's motives are always purer than the careerist agenda he identifies elsewhere.

The Guardian

There's also a sample at Cardiff University, where Andrew Westwell, a brilliant chemist at the WEDINOS project, a Welsh government-funded initiative that tracks and identifies new drugs.

The Guardian

The new act identifies this as a designated area for street vendors, and allocates space for them to carry out their business in a peaceful and less cramped manner.

The Guardian

We talk about the brilliant casting of The Hour – with Ben Whishaw as Freddie (she identifies with Freddie because he is "on a rollercoaster waiting to hit a wall") and Romola Garai as Bel.

The Guardian

Related: Ofcom report identifies emerging 'generation gap' in young people's TV viewing A report last year revealed that 16- to 24-year-olds spent 15 hours a week listening to the radio compared with more than 21 hours a week a decade earlier.

The Guardian

The authoritative study also identifies four hospital trusts where an unexpectedly high number of patients died after developing complications following routine operations.

The Guardian

Flynn, who identifies as a feminist, has become used to addressing accusations that she is anti-feminist.

The Guardian - Film

It indulges his love of figuring things out, plus it identifies him as a detail-oriented aesthete compared to the likes of David Cameron, forever rubbing his greasy thumbs across his screen as he hamfistedly attempts to beat his own meagre Fruit Ninja highscore.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The policy creates a protocol for determining whether someone who identifies as female but was born male can compete on female school teams.

The Guardian

2- How do females respond to derogatory terms such as "man hating feminist" when a woman identifies herself solely as a feminist fighting for women's rights?

The Guardian

Professor Jeffery rightly identifies coal and tar sands as two of the worst-polluting forms of fossil fuel energy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "identifies" when you want to clearly indicate the recognition or determination of a specific item, person, or concept. For example, "The study identifies several key factors influencing climate change."

Common error

While "identifies" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Instead, vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "ascertains" or "establishes" to add nuance and sophistication to your prose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "identifies" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It signifies an action performed by a subject, specifically the act of recognizing or determining something. Ludwig examples show how it is used to express detection, recognition, or specification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "identifies" functions as a third-person singular verb indicating recognition or determination. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, common usage, and broad applicability across various contexts, especially in news, media, and business. Related terms include "recognizes", "detects", and "determines", offering subtle variations in meaning. When writing, use "identifies" to clearly state the recognition of something, but diversify your vocabulary in formal contexts. Remember it is a very useful verb that can be used in many types of sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizes

This term emphasizes the act of acknowledging or being aware of something.

detects

This alternative highlights the discovery of something, often through careful observation.

determines

This word stresses the process of finding something out definitively, often after investigation.

establishes

This phrase puts emphasis on setting something as known or proven.

pinpoints

This suggests locating something precisely or exactly.

names

Focuses on giving a specific designation or label.

diagnoses

Specifically used when identifying a problem or condition.

ascertains

Emphasizes finding something out for certain.

distinguishes

Highlights the act of differentiating between multiple options.

classifies

Involves assigning something to a particular category or group.

FAQs

How can I use "identifies" in a sentence?

Use "identifies" to indicate the act of recognizing or determining something specific, for example: "The software "identifies potential threats" in the network traffic".

What are some alternatives to "identifies"?

You can use words like "recognizes", "detects", or "determines" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "identifies" and "detects"?

"Identifies" implies recognizing something specific, while "detects" suggests discovering the presence of something, which might not be previously known or defined.

When is it appropriate to use "identifies" instead of "names"?

Use "identifies" when the focus is on recognizing or determining something based on certain characteristics. Use "names" when the focus is simply on assigning a label or designation.