in a position to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a position to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's ability or capability to recognize or determine something. Example: "The expert is in a position to identify the key factors contributing to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"We are not in a position to identify those casualties," the official said.

The New York Times

The operations manager must be in a position to identify the critical rules and regulations, and controls and standards.

Regulation & Compliance in Operations

Securities firms, which packaged and sold billions of dollars in mortgage loans to investors and were certainly in a position to identify problems in them, filed almost none.

The New York Times

You are now in a position to identify which of your possible innovations will create the most value in your ecosystem.

Harvard Business Review

Yet the operators of the newly banned pages, whom Facebook said it was not in a position to identify, were more clever about covering their tracks.

The Washington Post

Those who seek gilt-edged securities in postwar and contemporary art need to make sure they are in a position to identify the right targets.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

What is most interesting about Miami is that it is in a unique position to identify and fulfill a clearly defined mission in the start-up world.

Forbes

In spite of the fact that nurses are in a unique position to identify and intervene in the lives of children suffering from abuse due to their role in providing health care in a variety of settings, nursing curricula does not routinely include this focus.

Nurse Education Today

The Public Health Institute, through its Global Health Fellows Program (I and II), has been in a unique position to identify the shifting employment dynamic in global health.

Annals of Global Health

General practitioners, school health service providers and mental health care workers, are all in a good position to identify children with special needs in this context and should offer help and follow-up.

BMC Public Health

NGOs may also be in a good position to identify young scientists and promising investigators in host countries.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a position to identify", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis for the ability to identify, such as expertise, access to information, or a specific role.

Common error

Avoid using "in a position to identify" if the ability is merely potential or hypothetical. Ensure there is a concrete basis or capacity to make the identification, lest you overstate the actual capability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a position to identify" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that someone or something possesses the necessary qualifications, access, or circumstances to recognize or determine something. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a position to identify" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate someone's capability to recognize or determine something due to their circumstances or expertise. As Ludwig's AI confirms, this phrase is well-suited for formal writing, especially in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the basis for this ability and avoid overstating it. Alternatives include "able to recognize" or "capable of identifying" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to recognize

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way of expressing the ability to identify something.

capable of identifying

This phrase emphasizes the capacity or competence to identify something.

qualified to determine

This suggests having the necessary qualifications or expertise to make an identification or determination.

equipped to discern

This alternative highlights the preparedness and ability to distinguish or perceive something clearly.

prepared to detect

This emphasizes readiness and anticipation in the act of identifying or detecting something.

situated to pinpoint

This highlights the advantageous circumstances for accurately identifying something specific.

empowered to ascertain

This implies having the authority or power to definitively identify or confirm something.

well-placed to recognize

This indicates an advantageous or favorable position for recognizing something.

have the means to identify

This alternative emphasizes the resources or tools available to facilitate identification.

can distinguish

This provides a more concise option, focusing on the ability to differentiate or tell apart.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in a position to identify" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "capable of identifying" or "qualified to determine". These alternatives often convey a higher degree of expertise or authority.

What's a simpler way to say "in a position to identify"?

A simpler alternative is "able to recognize". This option is more direct and suitable for less formal contexts.

Is "in a position to identify" different from "able to identify"?

While both phrases indicate an ability to identify, "in a position to identify" implies that the ability stems from specific circumstances, access to information, or a designated role. "Able to identify" is a more general statement of capability.

When should I use "in a position to identify" instead of "can identify"?

"In a position to identify" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that someone's ability to identify something is due to their specific circumstances or role. If you simply want to state that someone has the ability to identify something, "can identify" is sufficient.