positively identified

USAGE SUMMARY

"positively identified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been clearly and firmly identified or confirmed. For example, "The suspect was positively identified by the witness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But only five were positively identified as aged cheeses.

The New York Times

He was positively identified using DNA samples taken from parents.

The Guardian

Witnesses positively identified the reckless driver as Sir Gerald.

The Guardian

Neither victim had been positively identified, the police said.

The New York Times

His body had been positively identified in photographs.

The Guardian

Bridgewater police soon positively identified the body as Karissa Boudreau.

The New Yorker

In its present situation it is absolutely, 100percentt, positively identified.

The New York Times

None of these people, then, are likely to be positively identified or ceremoniously mourned.

The New York Times

He said the police had not positively identified the child's body.

The New York Times

He was positively identified using DNA samples taken from his son and father.

The Guardian

She was positively identified using DNA samples taken from her father and daughter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "positively identified", ensure that the evidence supporting the identification is strong and reliable. Avoid using it when the identification is based on circumstantial evidence or speculation.

Common error

Avoid using "positively identified" when the identification process still has some degree of uncertainty. Qualify the statement if there's a possibility of error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positively identified" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to describe a subject that has been recognized or confirmed with a high degree of certainty. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "positively identified" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a strong sense of certainty in the act of recognizing someone or something. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is correct and appears in various contexts, particularly within news media and scientific domains. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the identification is based on solid evidence to avoid overstating the certainty. Alternative phrases such as "definitely recognized" or "assuredly confirmed" can be used to add nuance, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely recognized

Replaces 'identified' with 'recognized', emphasizing the act of knowing someone or something again.

assuredly confirmed

Substitutes 'positively identified' with 'assuredly confirmed', focusing on the certainty of the confirmation.

undoubtedly ascertained

Uses 'undoubtedly ascertained' instead of "positively identified", highlighting the lack of doubt in the finding.

conclusively determined

Replaces the phrase with 'conclusively determined', emphasizing the decisiveness of the identification.

clearly established

Uses 'clearly established' instead of "positively identified", focusing on the clarity of the identification.

unquestionably verified

Substitutes the phrase with 'unquestionably verified', stressing the lack of doubt in the verification process.

reliably pinpointed

Replaces "positively identified" with 'reliably pinpointed', focusing on accuracy and precision in the identification.

certainly recognized

This alternative emphasizes the sureness of the recognition process rather than the identification.

identifiably confirmed

This shifts the emphasis to the identifiable aspect of the subject, then confirmation.

authentically validated

This option highlights the validation and authenticity of the identification process.

FAQs

How to use "positively identified" in a sentence?

Use "positively identified" to indicate that someone or something has been recognized with certainty. For example, "The suspect was "positively identified" by multiple witnesses".

What can I say instead of "positively identified"?

You can use alternatives like "definitely recognized", "assuredly confirmed", or "conclusively determined" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "positively identified" or "identified"?

"Positively identified" emphasizes a higher degree of certainty compared to simply "identified". Use "positively identified" when the identification is beyond doubt.

What's the difference between "positively identified" and "tentatively identified"?

"Positively identified" means there is a high degree of certainty in the identification, while "tentatively identified" means the identification is still uncertain and subject to further verification.