needs to be identified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be identified" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to talk about something that is not yet known or recognized and requires further investigation or clarification. Example: The source of the mysterious smell in the kitchen needs to be identified before we can get rid of it.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A delicate balance needs to be identified.

The Guardian - Opinion

A mechanism to allow them to be funded needs to be identified".

The New York Times

For future generations to be able to identify and marginalize such conduct, it needs to be identified and exposed.

The New York Times

Environmentalism needs to be identified as more than just a good deed and called what it is – an incredible opportunity.

The Guardian

Salbi fears that Trump legitimises every sexist boss, and that any similar behaviour needs to be identified by women around the world.

The Guardian

There is no specific treatment for the symptoms of dementia; the underlying physical cause needs to be identified and treated when possible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, it needs to be identified due to the latitude and longitude dependence of neutral winds.

Advances in Space Research

As the scattering behaviour is highly wavelength-dependent it needs to be identified for specific applications.

Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications

First, a project needs to be identified, which is followed by gathering project information.

Financial Innovation

First, it needs to be identified and then be prepared for further use in decision-making.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Then, when the test results come back, the subset of defective items needs to be identified.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be identified", ensure the context clearly indicates what requires identification and why it's important. Clarity in purpose enhances the effectiveness of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be identified" without specifying the subject or context. For example, instead of saying "the issue needs to be identified", specify "the root cause of the problem needs to be identified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be identified" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject requires discovery or recognition. Ludwig's examples illustrate its widespread use in academic, scientific, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be identified" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to express the necessity of discovering or recognizing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees frequent usage across varied domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias, thus confirming it as a versatile idiom. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. When employing "needs to be identified", it's crucial to specify the subject clearly to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "must be determined" or "should be ascertained" offer stylistic alternatives. To ensure clarity and precision in writing, remember that the subject requiring identification must be explicit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be determined

Emphasizes the necessity of finding something out.

should be ascertained

Suggests a process of finding something out for certain.

has to be pinpointed

Focuses on locating something with precision.

requires recognition

Highlights the need for something to be acknowledged.

needs clarification

Suggests a need for further explanation or understanding.

must be uncovered

Emphasizes the act of revealing something hidden.

should be detected

Focuses on finding something that may be difficult to notice.

has to be diagnosed

Implies a need for formal identification of a condition or problem.

calls for identification

Highlights a demand or need for identifying something.

warrants investigation

Suggests something is worthy of further inquiry to identify its nature.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be identified" in a sentence?

Use "needs to be identified" when referring to something unknown that requires discovery. For example, "The source of the error "needs to be identified" before it can be corrected."

What are some alternatives to saying "needs to be identified"?

Alternatives include phrases like "must be determined", "should be ascertained", or "requires recognition", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "needs to be identified" or "needs identification"?

"Needs to be identified" is a passive construction focusing on the action of identifying, whereas "needs identification" is a noun phrase emphasizing the requirement for identification. The choice depends on the desired emphasis. For example: "The problem needs to be identified" versus "The problem needs identification".

How does the formality of "needs to be identified" compare to its alternatives?

"Needs to be identified" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Alternatives like "should be ascertained" or "must be pinpointed" might be more appropriate in formal or technical settings.