identify them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identify them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to recognize or point out specific items, people, or concepts. Example: "In your report, please identify them clearly so that we can address each issue effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Identify them.

The New York Times

If so, identify them.

The New York Times

He did not identify them.

The New York Times

We're trying to identify them".

The New York Times - Sports

H.P. declined to identify them.

The New York Times

How to identify them?

The New York Times - Sports

He would not identify them.

The New York Times

He declined to identify them.

The New York Times

It declined to identify them.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

You just identified them".

The New Yorker

We haven't identified them".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly defines who or what "them" refers to in order to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The suspects were apprehended; now, we must "identify them"."

Common error

Avoid using "identify them" without a clear antecedent for "them". This can confuse the reader. Instead of writing "The results were analyzed; identify them", specify: "The results were analyzed; identify the key findings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identify them" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "identify" is the verb and "them" is the object pronoun. It is used to request or describe the act of recognizing or determining the identity of something or someone, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "identify them" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to prompt the recognition or determination of a group of entities. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register that adapts to various situations. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the antecedent of "them" is unmistakable to avoid ambiguity. For situations that need a little more context, use alternatives such as "recognize them" or "determine their identities".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognize them

Focuses more on acknowledging something already known, versus discovering something new.

determine their identities

More formal and specific to discovering the personal details of individuals.

ascertain who they are

Emphasizes confirming the identities of individuals, often in an investigative context.

pinpoint them

Implies finding something with precision, whether physical objects or specific qualities.

detect them

Suggests discovering something that might be hidden or not immediately obvious.

single them out

Implies choosing or distinguishing specific individuals or items from a larger group.

distinguish them

Focuses on noting the differences between items to differentiate them.

find out who they are

More conversational way of asking about the identity of unknown people.

figure them out

Suggests a process of understanding or solving a puzzle related to individuals or things.

spot them

Suggests finding them visually, often in a crowd or complex environment.

FAQs

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

Use "identify them" to ask someone to recognize or point out specific items, people, or concepts. For example, "Can you "identify them" in this picture?"

What are some alternatives to "identify them"?

You can use alternatives like "recognize them", "determine their identities", or "ascertain who they are" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "identify it" or "identify them"?

The choice depends on whether you are referring to a single item or multiple items. Use "identify it" for a singular item and "identify them" for plural items.

What does "identify them" mean in a technical context?

In a technical context, "identify them" often refers to recognizing specific elements, such as data points, errors, or system components, within a larger dataset or system.