identifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'identifying' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the process of recognizing or determining something. For example: The police officers were able to identify the criminal by identifying his tattoos.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The right to use your name and county of residence for the sole purpose of identifying you as the author of your entry and/or as a winner of the Competition.

The Guardian

James Leaton, research director at the Carbon Tracker Initiative (CTI) said: "Investors are already using the detailed CTI cost curves to start identifying how low demand and price scenarios could play out".

The Guardian

An existing state law already bars Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks from disclosing identifying information about hunters who kill bears, mountain lions or wolves.

The Guardian

"These are, firstly, the difficulty of identifying clearly the hand of a hostile state government in the subversive destabilising effects they bring to bear in the early stages of such a strategy," he said.

The Guardian

Instead, he's assured me that he will not include any identifying details about them, and said that if any source has a concern, they should call him about it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Besides, the process of holding drivers to account is easy because you have a means of identifying the miscreant and catching up with them at a later date.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This kind of honest dialogue is essential for identifying shared priorities and deploying scarce resources most efficiently.

The Guardian

The letter also criticizes the "culture" of identifying patients by their boat ID.

The Guardian

Sophisticated satellite mapping has made the task easier by identifying the location and extent of mangrove ecosystems now designated as protected forestland.

The Guardian

Congerton will have the job of identifying a long-term head coach, having hoped that Advocaat might have spared him that difficult task.

The Guardian - Sport

"In particular, I believe that we should be working closely together in identifying opportunities for building north-south economic development, and make sure that those opportunities become a reality in a way that will build jobs and sustain communities on both sides of the border," Gilmore said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the object of "identifying" is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "identifying the issue", specify "identifying the root cause of the issue".

Common error

Avoid using "identifying" as if it's the final step. Remember that "identifying" a problem is only the first step; you need to follow through with analysis and solutions. For instance, don't just say "identifying inefficiencies"; elaborate on how you plan to address those inefficiencies.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "identifying" is that of a present participle or gerund. As a participle, it modifies nouns or acts as part of a continuous verb tense. As a gerund, it functions as a noun. Ludwig's examples support this dual functionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "identifying" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, serving to highlight the act of recognizing or specifying something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using "identifying", ensure clarity and avoid treating it as a standalone solution without further analysis. Related terms include "detecting", "recognizing", and "determining", each offering slightly different nuances. Use this term correctly to improve clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizing

Implies a prior knowledge or familiarity with the thing being identified.

detecting

Focuses on discovering the presence of something, often something concealed.

determining

Suggests a more thorough investigation to establish the identity or nature of something.

ascertaining

Highlights the effort to find something out for certain.

pinpointing

Emphasizes the precision in locating or identifying something.

diagnosing

Specifically refers to identifying a disease or problem through examination.

classifying

Involves assigning something to a particular category or group.

naming

Focuses on giving something a name or label.

spotting

Implies a quick or immediate recognition.

uncovering

Suggests revealing something that was previously hidden or unknown.

FAQs

How can I use "identifying" in a sentence?

You can use "identifying" to describe the process of recognizing or determining something, as in: "The team is responsible for "identifying potential risks"".

What are some synonyms for "identifying"?

Alternatives to "identifying" include "detecting", "recognizing", or "determining", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "identifying" as a gerund?

Yes, "identifying" can be used as a gerund, which is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. For example: "Identifying problems is the first step to solving them".

What is the difference between "identifying" and "classification"?

"Identifying" refers to recognizing a specific item or piece of information, while "classification" involves grouping items into categories. "Identifying a suspect" differs from "classifying evidence".