identifying him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identifying him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of recognizing or determining the identity of a person, often in contexts such as investigations or discussions about individuals. Example: "The detective spent hours identifying him from the surveillance footage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We're identifying him in several of the middle scenes.

The Guardian

Others had no trouble identifying him by his trademark beret.

The New York Times - Arts

Reporters often quoted President Roosevelt without identifying him.

The New York Times

Around midnight, a police officer, his tag identifying him as Officer Williams, walks in.

The New York Times - Style

Carter chose Cyrus Vance for a cabinet post, identifying him as coming from W. Virgina.

The New Yorker

He reached into his wallet and showed me a card identifying him as a veteran.

The New Yorker

The insurance collector had him arrested a week after, identifying him as the same man.

The New Yorker

"Hey, 23," one of them called out, identifying him by his number.

The New York Times - Arts

Each twin wore a bracelet identifying him as having nonverbal autism and listing contact information.

The New York Times

(He somehow avoided going to the registry office to sign forms identifying him as Francis's father).

The New Yorker

"Let me just simply say, clearly I am identifying him as my deputy," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "identifying him", ensure the context clearly indicates how the identification is being made, such as through visual cues, documents, or testimonies.

Common error

Avoid using "identifying him" without specifying the method or basis for the identification. Provide context to clarify how the person is being identified to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identifying him" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes the action of recognizing or determining the identity of a male person. It often serves as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "identifying him" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the act of recognizing or determining the identity of a male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "recognizing him" exist, the choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to provide clear context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. It's best suited for neutral registers and commonly found in reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizing him

Focuses on the act of knowing someone again.

spotting him

Emphasizes a visual identification, often quick or unexpected.

singling him out

Highlights the act of choosing him from a group.

ascertaining his identity

Implies a more formal or investigative process of determining who he is.

figuring out who he is

Suggests solving a puzzle or mystery about his identity.

making him out

Indicates a clearer or more distinct identification after initial uncertainty.

IDing him

A shortened, more casual version of identifying.

pointing him out

Suggests physically indicating or highlighting someone.

tagging him

Implies assigning a label or category to the person.

defining him

Suggests clarifying his role or nature.

FAQs

How can I use "identifying him" in a sentence?

You can use "identifying him" in a sentence to describe the process of recognizing or determining someone's identity. For example, "The witness was crucial in identifying him as the suspect".

What are some alternatives to "identifying him"?

Some alternatives include "recognizing him", "spotting him", or "ascertaining his identity", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "identifying him" or "identifying who he is"?

"Identifying him" is generally more concise and direct. "Identifying who he is" may be appropriate if you want to emphasize the process of discovering his identity, but it can often sound more verbose.

When should I use "identifying him" instead of just "identifying"?

Use "identifying him" when you want to specifically emphasize that the object of identification is a male individual. If the gender is unknown or irrelevant, just "identifying" might suffice.