officially identified

USAGE SUMMARY

"officially identified" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that has been formally declared or characterized. For example, "The suspect was officially identified as John Smith by the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He says his officials have visited areas officially identified as newly deforested to find that clearance happened long ago.

The Economist

On Tuesday morning, a St Petersburg official said the first nine bodies of victims in the crash have been officially identified, and their families informed.

Independent

"Those who were killed were never even officially identified.

The New York Times

Jerri is officially identified on screen as "aspiring actress" and Mitchell as "singer/songwriter".

The New York Times - Arts

But they have not officially identified a suspect in the case.

The New York Times

Six of the dead are believed to have been officially identified.

The Guardian

Under the program, priority would go to students at schools officially identified as needing improvement.

The New York Times

Local newspapers have detailed the fundamentalist backgrounds of the two men so far officially identified.

The New York Times

The two unnamed victims were not officially identified pending release of an autopsy report.

The New York Times

Demands were made that it be officially identified by the elders.

The New Yorker

She was officially identified Friday as 26-year-old Hasna Aitboulahcen.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "officially identified" when you want to emphasize that an identification has been made according to established protocols or by a recognized authority. It adds a sense of formality and legitimacy to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "officially identified" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or bureaucratic when a simpler term like "named" or "recognized" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "officially identified" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject has undergone a formal identification process. Ludwig shows the phrase used across diverse contexts, from news reports about identifying victims to formal classifications of items and concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "officially identified" is a commonly used passive construction that signifies a formal identification process. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media, formal business contexts, and even in wikis. It conveys a sense of certainty and legitimacy and is appropriate for neutral or professional registers. Alternatives such as "formally recognized" or "publicly acknowledged" can be used depending on the context. Ensure to avoid overuse in casual conversations, as it could be perceived as overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formally recognized

Focuses on the formal aspect of recognition, similar to "officially identified".

officially recognized

Uses "recognized" instead of "identified" maintaining a similar meaning.

duly recognized

Highlights the appropriateness and formality of the recognition.

publicly acknowledged

Emphasizes the public nature of the identification.

authoritatively confirmed

Highlights the authoritative nature of the confirmation.

legally confirmed

Implies that the identification has legal backing.

confirmed through official channels

Emphasizes the path through which the confirmation was made.

formally specified

Indicates a detailed and formal specification, akin to a precise identification.

validated by authorities

Highlights that the identification was confirmed by an authoritative body.

properly classified

Focuses on the correct categorization after formal review.

FAQs

How can "officially identified" be used in a sentence?

You can use "officially identified" to indicate that someone or something has been formally recognized or confirmed, as in, "The victim was "officially identified" by dental records".

What is the difference between "officially identified" and "identified"?

"Officially identified" implies a formal, authoritative confirmation, while "identified" is a more general term that can refer to any act of recognition, formal or informal.

What are some alternatives to "officially identified"?

Alternatives include "formally recognized", "publicly acknowledged", or "authoritatively confirmed", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "officially identified"?

It is appropriate to use ""officially identified"" when the identification has been made by an authority figure or through a formal process, adding a layer of legitimacy and formality to the statement.