identify it with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identify it with" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used when trying to understand something better by comparing it to something else. For example, "I was unfamiliar with the term, so I identified it with something I already knew."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

As we speak of gradients (which are element of X, and not of (X') as the differential of F should be), it is natural to impose that X is an Hilbert space (so as to identify it with its dual and produce a gradient vector).

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Its people despise Israel and identify it with former President Mubarak, the one Egyptian relationship Israel bothered cultivating.

Huffington Post

We identify it with blue methylene, marking 1.5-2 cm above its new position (Fig.�� 12).

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

What you had to do was identify it with the help of words set to 15 bars, all anyone ever heard.

The New York Times - Arts

Because Boivin jewelry was never signed -- Jeanne Boivin considered her style sufficiently distinctive to be recognizable on sight -- it is difficult today to identify it with certainty.

The New York Times

The contraction is due not only to the recession, but to Focus's struggle to retain a younger generation of evangelicals who identify it with their parents.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

We identified it with HBO.

The Guardian

He ran outdoor and identified it with a professional eye as a B29.

The New Yorker

It is striking that Freud identifies religion with the meaning of life, and Pinker identifies it with the high-order questions humankind has posed to itself from antiquity.

The Guardian - Books

The Romantics internalised genius, identifying it with their own inner selves – what Proust called le moi profond, the deepest me.

The Guardian - Opinion

CLR James found "the beautiful" in cricket and identified it with drama, dance and the visual arts.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "identify it with", ensure that the comparison clarifies the subject. A vague or unrelated comparison can confuse your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "identify it with" when a simple description or definition suffices. Overusing comparisons can make your writing convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identify it with" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of associating or equating something with something else. It is used to clarify understanding by drawing parallels, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "identify it with" serves to draw comparisons and establish connections between different concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic writing. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the comparison is both relevant and illuminating for your audience. While generally neutral to formal in tone, overusing the construction might make your writing sound convoluted. Therefore, the judicious and precise application of "identify it with" will ensure its effectiveness in your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

associate it with

Implies a connection or relationship, often less precise than direct identification.

equate it with

Suggests making something equivalent or interchangeable, a stronger assertion than mere identification.

link it to

Emphasizes a connection or relationship, focusing on the association between two things.

relate it to

Focuses on showing how two things are connected or similar.

connect it with

Highlights the act of joining or establishing a relationship between two entities.

compare it to

Suggests examining the similarities and differences, not necessarily identification.

consider it as

Implies a thoughtful assessment or judgment, not necessarily a direct equation.

recognize it as

Focuses on acknowledging the nature or character of something, not necessarily linking it to something else.

ascribe it to

Suggests attributing a quality or characteristic, often with less certainty.

characterize it as

Involves describing or defining something by its qualities, not direct identification.

FAQs

How can I use "identify it with" in a sentence?

Use "identify it with" when you want to draw a comparison or associate something with a known entity. For example: "Critics of reductionism "identify it with" an individualistic epistemology".

What are some alternatives to "identify it with"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "associate it with", "equate it with", or "link it to". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "identify it with" or "associate it with"?

"Identify it with" and "associate it with" are generally interchangeable in terms of formality. However, "identify" might suggest a more precise or deliberate connection than "associate".

When is it inappropriate to use "identify it with"?

Avoid using "identify it with" when there is no real connection or comparison to be made, or when a simpler verb like "describe" or "define" would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing seem forced.