identifies them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identifies them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of recognizing or pointing out specific individuals or items in a context. Example: "The report identifies them as key stakeholders in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Burns, coyly, never identifies them fully.

The New Yorker

But the label identifies them as "mini Canadian treats".

The New York Times

She identifies them only by first name, home town, and profession.

The New Yorker

The elephants are unmistakable to viewers, and yet Karim identifies them.

The New York Times - Magazine

The show's secondary puppeteer, a big young Frenchman, Yoann Pencolé, identifies them for us.

The New Yorker

"How do you know that they're terrorists?" "Someone identifies them to me.

The New Yorker

Specifically, it is the process of identifying bugs and patching them before your adversary identifies them and exploits them.

The Guardian - Tech

He is clearly still allergic to phoniness and smarm, not least when he identifies them in himself.

The Guardian

Mr. Fradin believes CherryCard can be financed out of retailers' marketing budgets because it identifies them as socially conscious enterprises.

The New York Times

When these in turn decay, they do so in a way that, Dr Hicks says, identifies them uniquely.

The Economist

A fingerprint reader identifies them and the sum is deducted from their accounts via a special handset.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "distinguishes them" or "recognizes them" to add nuance to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "identifies them" without clearly specifying how the identification is made. For example, instead of saying "The system identifies them", specify "The system identifies them through facial recognition technology".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identifies them" functions as a verb phrase, where 'identifies' is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'identify' and 'them' is a pronoun acting as the direct object. This indicates an action performed upon a group or set of entities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

55%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "identifies them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that serves to specify a particular group or set. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is common in news, science, and wiki contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. To enhance clarity, ensure the context provides clear criteria for the identification process. Consider synonyms like "recognizes them" or "distinguishes them" to add nuance and avoid repetition. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase without adequate context, as this can lead to ambiguity. Overall, "identifies them" is a versatile phrase for conveying recognition or specification in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizes them

Emphasizes the act of acknowledging or knowing the subjects.

distinguishes them

Highlights the unique qualities that set the subjects apart from others.

labels them

Focuses on assigning a specific category or name to the subjects.

singles them out

Focuses on selecting a specific group, adding emphasis on the act of choosing.

pinpoints them

Indicates locating the subjects with precision.

detects them

Implies the use of a method or technology to find or discover the subjects.

designates them

Implies formally assigning a role or characteristic to the subjects.

spots them

Suggests a casual or visual act of noticing the subjects.

uncovers them

Suggests revealing something previously hidden about the subjects.

ascertains them

Emphasizes finding something out for certain about them after inquiry.

FAQs

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

You can use "identifies them" to describe the process of recognizing or pointing out specific entities based on certain criteria. For example: "The software "identifies them" based on their unique IP addresses."

What can I say instead of "identifies them"?

You can use alternatives like "recognizes them", "distinguishes them", or "singles them out depending on the context".

Which is correct, "identifies them" or "identify them"?

"Identifies them" is used when the subject is singular, while "identify them" is used when the subject is plural. For example: "The algorithm "identifies them"." vs. "The algorithms identify them."

What's the difference between "identifies them" and "characterizes them"?

"Identifies them" means to recognize or point out specific entities, while "characterizes them" means to describe their qualities or features. The focus shifts from recognition to description.