make sure to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make sure to identify' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to emphasize the importance of recognizing something, for example: "Make sure to identify any potential safety hazards before starting the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Make sure to identify your most important financial goals and then think of the things you are doing or not doing that could hinder your ability to meet these goals or to build your wealth over time.

Forbes

Once the ideas start rolling in, make sure to identify a few quick wins you can implement.

Huffington Post

Make sure to identify the groups who oppose you or else the movers of the debate will become foggy.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whenever Melanie or Nick or his older brother Christopher heard those questions, they made sure to identify Lewis.

The New York Times - Sports

It also had problems when it came to identifying foods that had multiple different recipes in the system's database — and as such, the team made sure to identify when it got at least part of the way there.

TechCrunch

Keith and Kenny spoke to me by phone (always making sure to identify who was talking) about why they dress the way they do, how they developed their unique call-and-response comedy patter, and why they tell so many jokes about weed.

Vice

On each recording track we made sure to identify a tonically active neuron (4 8 Hz), in fact during some sessions we simultaneously recorded a pair of tonically and phasically active neurons.

eLife

When doing so, make sure to explicitly identify other viewpoints and respond to them appropriately, otherwise, your writing probably will not make any sense.

WikiHow

In your plan make sure to write out and identify ways of reaching the target market for the products and marketing and selling the line that you're distributing.

WikiHow

Make sure to spend time researching, identifying and targeting your income streams, while tracking progress to understand where you are at each step of the way.

The Guardian

To assure that everyone is able to clearly identify your vehicle, make sure to etch your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) in your window.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "make sure to identify", clearly define what needs to be identified and why it is important in the given context. This adds clarity and purpose to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make sure to identify" without specifying what needs identification. Vague statements like "Make sure to identify issues" lack impact. Instead, be specific: "Make sure to identify any potential safety hazards before starting the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make sure to identify" functions as an imperative phrase used to strongly advise or instruct someone to recognize or determine something specific. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is often used in contexts where correct identification is crucial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make sure to identify" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an imperative to emphasize the importance of recognizing or pinpointing something specific. While not extremely common, the phrase is suitable for neutral to professional contexts and is found in news, wiki and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure that you specify what needs to be identified to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "ensure you recognize" or "be certain to pinpoint", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guarantee you can recognize

Underlines the certainty of recognition, making it an absolute condition.

ensure you recognize

Emphasizes guaranteeing recognition, adding a layer of certainty compared to simply making sure.

it is crucial to pinpoint

Stresses the critical importance of precise identification.

make certain to find

Focuses on the outcome of locating something, adding a tone of confidence.

be certain to pinpoint

Highlights the act of accurately locating something, suggesting precision and focus.

assure you distinguish

Focuses on differentiating carefully, implying a need for clarity and precision.

take care to discern

Stresses careful and thoughtful distinction, adding an element of critical judgment.

prioritize the identification of

Elevates identification to a high-priority action, suitable for formal contexts.

remember to detect

Focuses on the act of discovering or noticing something, often something subtle or hidden.

don't forget to spot

Emphasizes visual recognition, often in a casual or informal context.

FAQs

How can I use "make sure to identify" in a sentence?

You can use "make sure to identify" to emphasize the importance of recognizing or pinpointing something. For example, "Make sure to identify all potential risks before proceeding."

What are some alternatives to "make sure to identify"?

Alternatives include "ensure you recognize", "be certain to pinpoint", or "take care to discern", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "make sure to identify" or "ensure you identify"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "ensure you identify" carries a slightly stronger sense of guarantee compared to "make sure to identify".

What's the difference between "make sure to identify" and "remember to identify"?

"Make sure to identify" emphasizes the importance of the action, while "remember to detect" simply serves as a reminder. The former is often used when there are potential consequences for failing to identify something.