identifying to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identifying to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when it could be used, as it does not fit standard grammatical structures or common usage. Example: "I am identifying to the issues we discussed last week." (This is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I left the identifying to her.

The New Yorker

This is in spite of Muslim respondents having a high level of identification with Australia (72% identifying to a great or moderate extent and 75% indicating they were satisfied with life in Australia).

The Guardian

In her memoir, "Drinking: A Love Story," the late Carolyn Knapp wrote about identifying (to her detriment, since she was an alcoholic) with Dylan Thomas, Carson McCullers, Dorothy Parker, Faulkner and Hemingway for the hard-edged, mythologized glamour of out-of-control lives associated with alcoholism.

The New York Times - Style

The narrator regains his imagination in the end by correctly identifying (to the parrot's satisfaction) what each character stands for, and an appendix reveals to the reader (in case he or she hasn't figured it out already) that all of the strange characters at the inn are figures from literature.

The New York Times - Books

When the issue of government video news releases arose last year, our Board of Ethics and Professional Standards advised members that video news releases must be developed and distributed in compliance with the code, clearly identifying to TV stations the source of the video, for whom it was produced and avoiding the narrator's use of the word "reporting".

The New York Times

There is also Davidson's later rejection of the requirement that such descriptions be uniquely identifying to take into account.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

All declined to be identified to avoid offending Armstrong.

The New York Times - Sports

Each surname is identified to a species.

Plosone

Nematodes were identified to genus level.

Plosone

The animals were identified to species level.

Plosone

All individuals were identified to species level.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "identifying to" in formal writing; instead, use more grammatically sound alternatives such as "identifying with" or "identifying as" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Be careful when using prepositions after "identify". "Identifying to" is often incorrect. Consider if "identifying with" (expressing empathy or connection) or "identifying as" (stating an affiliation) would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identifying to" attempts to establish a relationship or association, but it does not conform to standard English grammar. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase is not correct. It seems to try to express recognition or connection, but it fails to do so effectively.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "identifying to" appears in various sources, including scientific and news media, Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to convey a sense of association or recognition but fails to do so effectively, making it unsuitable for formal writing. Better alternatives include "identifying with" or "identifying as", which offer clearer and more grammatically sound ways to express the intended meaning. When clarity and correctness are paramount, especially in professional or academic contexts, it's best to avoid "identifying to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizing as

Implies acknowledging or knowing something, differing in its cognitive emphasis.

categorizing as

Centers on placing something into a specific group, altering the focus from recognition to classification.

classifying as

Very similar to "categorizing as", stressing systematic arrangement.

ascribing to

Focuses on assigning characteristics or qualities, shifting from recognition to attribution.

attributing to

Similar to "ascribing to", but with a stronger emphasis on causation or origin.

associating with

Highlights the act of linking or relating, rather than explicitly identifying.

grouping under

Implies a collective association under a category, changing the focus from individual identification.

connecting with

Emphasizes a sense of rapport or shared understanding, diverging from strict identification.

linking to

Highlights the connection or association but lacks the explicit identification component.

relating to

Suggests a connection or relevance without pinpointing a specific identity.

FAQs

Is "identifying to" grammatically correct?

No, "identifying to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. More appropriate alternatives include "identifying with", which suggests a sense of connection, or "identifying as", which indicates affiliation or classification.

When should I use "identifying with" instead of "identifying to"?

"Identifying with" is used to express a sense of shared feeling, understanding, or empathy with someone or something. For example, "I am "identifying with" the character's struggles."

What does "identifying as" mean, and how is it different from "identifying to"?

"Identifying as" signifies how someone perceives or defines themself, often in terms of gender, nationality, or other characteristics. "Identifying to" is not a recognized or grammatically sound alternative.

Are there situations where "identifying to" might be acceptable?

While rare, "identifying to" may appear in some technical or specialized contexts, but it's generally best to avoid it in favor of clearer and more standard expressions like "referring to" or "pertaining to".