identify to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identify to" is not correct and should not be used in written English.
As written, the phrase does not have any meaning and is not appropriate for any context. If you meant to include the preposition "with," you could use the phrase "identify with" in a sentence such as: "He is able to identify with her struggles in a personal way."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Don't secede your identify to either half.

The Guardian - Opinion

He lives in Chelsea with his partner, whom he declined to identify to protect his privacy.

The New York Times

Nor did Mrs. Astor identify to whom she was referring that day.

The New York Times

The USP – unique selling point – is what every technology marketer strives to identify to ensnare the would-be buyer.

The Guardian - Tech

But "I don't identify to the point to where it disturbs my own rhythms".

The New York Times

After he had studied them, Dr. Hoffman sent several he could not identify to scientists in Italy who specialize in centipedes and millipedes.

The New York Times

It's impossible not to identify to some small degree with the protagonist [Hitler], so the book is going to be offensive to a lot of Jews.

The Guardian - Books

She has been directed to identify, to the greatest extent possible, public lands on which restrictions should be eased to allow increased energy development.

The New York Times

"Here is the crux of it, of the wordsmith's weepy admiration for this deceptively simple book; most writers identify to some extent with Stoner".

The Guardian - Books

He added that the company has employed outside consultants, whom he declined to identify, to conduct a review of practices that is continuing.

The New York Times

President Bush signed into law today antiterrorism measures that he said would "help law enforcement to identify, to dismantle, to disrupt and to punish terrorists before they strike".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "identify to" in formal writing. Instead, consider using "identify with" or a more precise verb like "determine" or "ascertain" depending on the context.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "identify to" when they mean "identify with". Remember that "identify with" expresses a sense of shared feeling or understanding, while "identify to" is generally grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identify to" functions incorrectly as it violates standard English grammar. Although Ludwig shows examples, it's often a misuse of "identify with" or a placeholder where a more precise verb like determine or ascertain is needed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "identify to" appears frequently, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. It's often a misuse of "identify with" or requires a more precise verb like determine or ascertain. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, avoid using "identify to" and opt for the suggested alternatives based on your intended meaning. Be especially cautious in formal and scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify with

Adds the preposition "with" to correctly express a feeling of shared experience or perspective.

determine

Replaces the phrase with a single verb that means to find out or establish exactly.

ascertain

Uses a more formal verb to mean to find something out for certain.

establish

Focuses on setting something firmly in place or proving it.

recognize

Shifts the focus to acknowledging or being aware of something.

detect

Emphasizes discovering or noticing something, often something not easily apparent.

diagnose

Specifically used when identifying a disease or problem.

pinpoint

Highlights finding the exact location or cause of something.

uncover

Suggests revealing something previously hidden or unknown.

discover

Implies finding something new or unexpected.

FAQs

What does it mean to "identify with" someone?

To "identify with" someone means to feel a sense of connection or shared experience with them, often due to similar circumstances or feelings.

Is "identify to" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "identify to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's often misused when the intended meaning is to "identify with".

When should I use "determine" instead of "identify to"?

You can use "determine" when you mean to find something out definitively or establish something with certainty. This avoids the grammatical issues associated with "identify to".

What are some alternatives to "identify to" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, consider using more precise terms like "ascertain", "establish", or "detect" depending on the specific context.