to be identified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to be identified' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are describing a way to recognize or distinguish something. For example, "The letters need to be identified by their corresponding shapes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Both women declined to be identified.

The New York Times

Most do not want to be identified.

The New York Times

The officer asked not to be identified.

The New York Times

The suspect has yet to be identified.

The New York Times

The suspects have yet to be identified.

The New York Times

Six have yet to be identified.

The Guardian

"These bodies need to be identified.

The Guardian

The victims have yet to be identified.

The Guardian

The official declined to be identified.

The New York Times

Still, most asked not to be identified.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He allowed himself to be identified by name -- Capt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be identified" when referring to something whose identity or nature needs to be established. For clarity, ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the identifying.

Common error

Avoid using "to be identified" passively when an active voice would provide more clarity. For instance, instead of "The error needs to be identified", specify who should identify it: "The analyst needs to identify the error."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be identified" serves as an infinitive phrase functioning as part of a verb phrase. It typically indicates a future action or a state that needs to be achieved. It expresses the necessity for something or someone to undergo a process of recognition or determination, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be identified" is a grammatically sound and commonly used infinitive phrase that signifies a need for something to undergo recognition or determination. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, indicating that it’s frequently found in news, scientific, and general writing contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether an active voice might provide more clarity and specify who or what is responsible for the identification. Alternatives such as "to be recognized" or "to be determined" can offer nuanced variations depending on the context. Therefore, "to be identified" remains a versatile and correct option for expressing the necessity of recognition or determination across various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be recognized

Emphasizes the act of noticing or acknowledging something's existence or importance.

to be discovered

Highlights the process of finding or learning something previously unknown.

to be determined

Focuses on the need to establish or ascertain something definitively.

to be ascertained

Indicates a more formal or investigative process of finding something out.

to be classified

Suggests placing something into a specific category or group.

to be pinpointed

Implies locating something with precision or accuracy.

to be unveiled

Conveys a sense of revealing something that was previously hidden.

to be detected

Emphasizes the act of sensing or noticing something, often something subtle.

to be diagnosed

Specifically refers to identifying a disease or condition through medical examination.

to be distinguished

Highlights the act of discerning differences between things.

FAQs

How do I use "to be identified" in a sentence?

Use "to be identified" when something requires recognition or determination. For example, "The source of the leak has yet "to be identified"" or "A clear strategy needs "to be identified" before proceeding further".

What are some alternatives to "to be identified"?

Alternatives include "to be recognized", "to be determined", or "to be ascertained", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "to be identified" or "to identify"?

The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the need for something to be recognized (passive - "to be identified") or the action of recognizing something (active - "to identify"). For example, "The problem needs "to be identified"" versus "The team needs "to identify" the problem".

Can "to be identified" be used in different tenses?

Yes, it can be adapted to different tenses. Examples: "The suspect is "to be identified"", "The suspect has "to be identified"", or "The suspect will need "to be identified"".