tentatively identified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentatively identified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been identified but not confirmed or finalized, often in contexts like research or investigations. Example: "The suspect has been tentatively identified based on witness descriptions, but further investigation is needed to confirm their identity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Forty other prisoners have been tentatively identified.

The New York Times

and metacercariae tentatively identified as Clonorchis sinenesis.

Veterinary Parasitology

Two other suspects have been tentatively identified, he said.

The New York Times

A TC photodegradation product was tentatively identified in uncovered reactors.

Chemosphere

A slight enrichment trend (ε=−2.5‰) was tentatively identified.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

The woman has been tentatively identified as Maryann Ruhan, who was homeless.

The New York Times

A seventh was tentatively identified, but Memorial did not disclose the circumstances of his disappearance.

The New York Times

A sixth victim was tentatively identified yesterday as Laura G. Nusser.

The New York Times

The man who hanged himself on Friday was tentatively identified as Steven L. Howe, 34.

The New York Times

Once enough mud had come off, Ms. Alvarez tentatively identified it as a male.

The New York Times

Until 1979 the disease, tentatively identified as hemapoietic sarcoma, was unknown south of the Hudson River.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentatively identified", ensure you clarify the basis for the identification and the steps being taken to confirm it. This adds transparency and manages expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting something as definitively identified when it has only been "tentatively identified". Be clear about the level of certainty to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentatively identified" functions as a verb phrase, where "tentatively" modifies the verb "identified". It indicates that an identification has been made but is not yet definite or confirmed. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts where initial assessments are made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tentatively identified" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an identification that is not yet fully confirmed. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Ludwig highlights that it is crucial to indicate the level of certainty when using this phrase to avoid overstating claims. Alternatives such as "provisionally identified" or "preliminarily identified" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. As noted by Ludwig AI, clarity in usage enhances credibility and manages expectations. The register is mainly neutral to formal, reflecting its prevalence in professional and informative domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provisionally identified

Indicates a temporary or conditional identification, pending further confirmation.

preliminarily identified

Suggests an initial identification made at the outset of an investigation.

initially identified

Similar to preliminarily, but emphasizes the temporal aspect of the identification.

partially identified

Implies that some aspects of the identification are known, but not all.

subject to confirmation

Explicitly states that the identification is not final and requires further verification.

possibly identified

Indicates a degree of uncertainty in the identification.

allegedly identified

Suggests that the identification is based on claims or allegations that have not been proven.

reported to be identified

Emphasizes that the identification is based on reports, rather than definitive proof.

thought to be identified

Similar to possibly identified, but implies a less formal assessment.

deemed to be identified

The identification is based on someone's opinion or judgement, which may be questionable.

FAQs

What does "tentatively identified" mean?

It means something has been identified, but the identification is not yet certain or fully confirmed. Further investigation or verification is usually needed.

What can I say instead of "tentatively identified"?

You can use alternatives like "provisionally identified", "preliminarily identified", or "possibly identified" depending on the context.

How is "tentatively identified" used in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "tentatively identified" is used to describe substances or organisms that have been identified based on available data, but require further analysis for conclusive identification. For example, "A compound was tentatively identified as X based on its mass spectrum."

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

"Identified" implies a confirmed identification. Use "tentatively identified" when the identification is not yet certain and requires further confirmation.