identify something as

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "identify something as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something is being labeled or classified as a certain type. For example, "The student was able to identify the bird as a Bald Eagle."

✓ Grammatically correct

TechCrunch

Vice

The New York Times - Arts

SEP

Huffington Post

The Guardian - Arts

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

WikiHow

The New York Times - Magazine

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Just think about what really happens in our brains as we identify something as simple as a street sign while driving?

TechCrunch

We're fighting the prejudice of the downtown eastside as well; insofar as a police officer will much more likely identify something as stolen here, versus if they found it in a garage sale in Strathcona.

Vice

"Anybody who would want to use or identify something as reverse racist, I would strongly encourage them to stop for a moment... and really think seriously about the last time they really have taken the time to study or get a deep understanding of what racism is and how it impacts different communities".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'd argue not, at least not if identifying something as a design project will improve the outcome.

The New York Times - Arts

We may very well use such thermodynamic properties in identifying something as water, but that does not mean that it is in virtue of such properties that something is water.

SEP

To communicate, the terms that speakers use do not have to have the same meanings, nor do speakers need to use the same criteria for identifying something as a member of a particular kind (one ornithologist might identify ducks by their beaks, another by their tails) (cf. Hoyningen-Huene 1993, 99).

SEP

So that app connects blind and visually impaired users who have a need to identify something specific — such as a label on a can of food — with sighted users willing to lend their eyes to the task at hand so they can tell them what they are looking at in real-time.

TechCrunch

There seems to be not only a willingness but an eagerness to identify something or someone as racist, overcompensating for the ills of the past.

Huffington Post

She wants to look at our human desire to locate ourselves within history – to explore a particular time or place with which we somehow identify – something she felt acutely as a teenager.

The Guardian - Arts

At the outset of his commencement speech, Idle said he hoped to identify something grads could can take away as they embark on their adult life.

Huffington Post

Subjects were instructed to listen to the recording and to report as soon as they identified something that made sense to them.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "identify something as", ensure that the identification is clear and supported by evidence or context. Avoid making unsubstantiated claims or generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "identify something as" when the categorization is subjective or lacks clear criteria. Using it loosely can weaken your argument or credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identify something as" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of recognizing and classifying an object, concept, or idea with a particular characteristic or attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "identify something as" is a versatile phrase used to categorize or label entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Analysis shows it's most common in news, scientific, and business domains. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring identifications are clear and well-supported to maintain credibility. Consider related phrases like "recognize something as" or "classify something as" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognize something as

Emphasizes the process of becoming aware or familiar with something, rather than explicitly labeling it.

classify something as

Focuses on placing something into a specific category or group.

label something as

Highlights the act of assigning a name or descriptor to something.

designate something as

Suggests a more formal or official assignment of a particular status or role.

define something as

Emphasizes the act of establishing the meaning or scope of something.

characterize something as

Focuses on describing the qualities or attributes that distinguish something.

view something as

Highlights a particular perspective or opinion about something.

consider something to be

Suggests a more thoughtful or deliberate assessment of something.

regard something as

Similar to 'consider', but often implies a more established or conventional viewpoint.

perceive something as

Focuses on how something is understood or interpreted through the senses or intuition.

FAQs

How to use "identify something as" in a sentence?

Use "identify something as" to label or classify a subject with a specific characteristic or category. For example, "Experts identify the painting as a masterpiece".

What can I say instead of "identify something as"?

You can use alternatives like "recognize something as", "classify something as", or "label something as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "identify something as" or "identifying something as"?

"Identify something as" is used as an infinitive or imperative, while "identifying something as" is the gerund or present participle form. Both are correct but used in different grammatical structures. For example, "We need to identify this issue as a priority." vs. "Identifying this issue as a priority is crucial."

What's the difference between "identify something as" and "define something as"?

"Identify something as" is to recognize and categorize, while "define something as" is to provide a precise meaning or explanation. For example, "We identify this behavior as aggressive" vs. "We define aggression as any behavior intended to harm."