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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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identify doing

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identify doing" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to the act of recognizing or determining an action, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "In order to improve our processes, we need to identify doing the tasks that are most time-consuming."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

University of California, Berkeley

The New York Times - Arts

Huffington Post

Independent

The Guardian - Sport

BBC

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Wiki

The Guardian

Harvard Business Review

Stanford University

The New York Times - Sports

The New Yorker

The Guardian - Books

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Guardian - Film

The New York Times - Film

The New York Times

The New York Times - Region

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If we assume that every intentional action is done for a reason, and that this reason can be cast in teleological form, we can identify doing A intentionally with doing A in order to do something else.

Science

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In short, the three personas we've identified do not represent fixed or absolute qualities.

I can identify tap done by a black person.

NO MATTER how you identify, or don't identify".

News & Media

Huffington Post

What are we, as queer identified people, doing about it?

News & Media

Huffington Post

"I do identify with them," he states.

News & Media

Independent

They all did identify that gentleman".

News & Media

The Guardian

On reflection, he did identify one culprit.

The girls did identify three guys".

News & Media

The Guardian

I do identify with this town".

Several non-Australian publications did identify him.

News & Media

BBC
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "identify doing" in formal writing. Instead, use clearer alternatives such as "identify the action" or "determine the activity" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "identify doing" when a gerund or infinitive is needed. To correct this, replace it with a noun or a more precise verb phrase that accurately describes the intended action.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identify doing" functions incorrectly as it attempts to directly link a transitive verb ("identify") with a gerund ("doing") without proper grammatical structure. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not correct. A more appropriate construction would involve a noun phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "identify doing" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the construction is flawed and lacks clarity. Instead, use clearer alternatives like "identify the action" or "determine the activity". While the phrase appears across various sources, its incorrect usage undermines effective communication. Therefore, opting for grammatically sound alternatives is crucial for maintaining clarity and credibility in writing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "identify doing" to be grammatically correct?

To correct the phrase "identify doing", consider using alternatives like "identify the action", "determine the activity", or "recognize the task", depending on the intended meaning.

What is a common mistake when using the word "identify"?

A frequent error is using "identify" followed directly by a gerund (doing) when a noun or a more specific verb phrase is required for grammatical accuracy.

Is "identify doing" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase "identify doing" is generally considered incorrect in both formal and informal contexts. It's best to opt for clearer and grammatically sound alternatives.

What are some situations where I might need to "identify" something related to an action?

You might need to identify the cause of an action, the steps in a process, or the person responsible for an action. In such cases, ensure the phrase you use is grammatically correct and clear, avoiding constructions like "identify doing".

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: