identify against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identify against" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear in meaning.
It could potentially be used in contexts discussing comparisons or contrasts, but it is not standard. Example: "In order to understand the issue better, we need to identify against the previous data."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When you label a group, you allow opposing factions to identify against that group," Raitt-Forrest explained.

Vice

Egypt's foreign minister, Sameh Shukri, warned "foreign" countries that he did not identify against taking measures that reflect speculations on the cause of the crash.

Huffington Post

SLiMs are short (2 15 amino acids in length) and degenerate (with few residues determining specificity), which makes them hard to identify against a backdrop of highly conserved structural domains.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whoever succeeds Mr. Morgenthau — for now, it's a three-way race — is going to have to fill some fairly large shoes and fight rather fiercely to self-identify against a legacy that could have no better metaphor than the office's endless ornamentation.

The New York Times

Sunstein's assessment is persuasive, as he attempts to balance the need for a solution to the problems he has identified against the limited role the government ought to play in regulating the Internet.

The New York Times - Books

Hence, a range of frequency values have been identified against which a draft pad must be tested for fatigue response.

Journal of Modern Transportation

This would probably explain the gall midge resistance phenomenon in RP conferred by gm3 – the only recessive R-gene identified against gall midge thus far.

Rice

Proteins were identified against the B. pumilus entries from the RefSeq protein database available at NCBI, which was appended to an existing bacterial database.

AMB Express

Among the peptides synthesized and evaluated, a lead peptide (6a) with potent activity (IC50: 4.4 nM) was identified against the MDR769 HIV-1 protease.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

In the most extreme case, antibodies whose combining sites are comprised of only two residues – tyrosine and serine – have been identified against several protein antigens.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

We test if there are any marks that can be automatically and with confidence identified (against a reference database) but are not of EV according to either EVA or expert assessment.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and clear alternatives like "compare with", "contrast with", or "differentiate from" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "identify against" when you simply intend to compare or contrast two things. Simpler phrases are more direct and easier to understand. For instance, instead of "identify the product against the competition", use "compare the product with the competition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identify against" functions as a verb phrase, attempting to describe a process of comparison or defense. As Ludwig indicates, this phrasing is uncommon and potentially unclear. Clearer alternatives are recommended.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "identify against" is a non-standard expression that Ludwig identifies as uncommon and potentially unclear. While it seems to aim at conveying comparison, differentiation, or proactive defense, its usage is limited and often grammatically questionable. As a result, relying on clearer and more precise alternatives such as "compare with", "contrast with", or "defend against" is advisable. By opting for recognized phrases, writers can ensure effective communication across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compare with

Replaces "identify" with a general term for noting similarities and differences.

contrast with

Focuses on highlighting the differences rather than a general comparison.

distinguish from

Emphasizes setting apart one thing from another, clarifying unique characteristics.

differentiate from

Similar to "distinguish from" but may imply a more formal or systematic separation.

measure against

Implies using something as a benchmark to evaluate another.

benchmark against

Similar to "measure against", with a business or performance evaluation context.

defend against

Focuses on protective actions taken against a threat, shifting the emphasis from identification.

guard against

Similar to "defend against", suggesting proactive measures to prevent harm.

protect from

Highlights the act of shielding something from harm or danger.

screen for

Implies a systematic process to detect or identify something specific, often undesirable.

FAQs

What does "identify against" mean?

The phrase "identify against" is not a standard English expression. It seems to be used to mean to compare, contrast, or defend against something, but it's generally better to use clearer alternatives.

What can I say instead of "identify against"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "compare with", "contrast with", "defend against", or "protect from".

Is it correct to use "identify against" in formal writing?

No, it is not generally correct to use "identify against" in formal writing. It's better to choose more standard and precise language, such as "compare" or "differentiate".

How can I use "compare with" instead of "identify against"?

Instead of saying "We need to identify the results against the previous study", you could say "We need to "compare the results with" the previous study".