to be identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be identify" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "to be identified"? If this is the case, you can use it when discussing the process of recognizing or determining the identity of someone or something. Example: "The suspect is believed to be identified by the witnesses during the lineup."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nevertheless, the molecules involved in these beneficial effects still need to be identify.

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar 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 suspects have yet to be identified.

The New York Times

The suspect has yet to be identified.

The New York Times

Still, most asked not to be identified.

The New York Times

He does not want to be identified.

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct passive form, "to be identified", instead of "to be identify". Remember that "identified" is the past participle of the verb "identify" and is required in passive constructions.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb ("identify") when the past participle ("identified") is required in a passive construction. The passive infinitive form always requires "to be" followed by the past participle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be identify" is intended to function as a passive infinitive, but it fails to do so due to grammatical error. It attempts to express the need for something to undergo the process of identification. Ludwig flags the phrase as incorrect, suggesting the correct form is "to be identified."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be identify" is grammatically incorrect; the proper form is "to be identified". As Ludwig points out, the incorrect usage stems from using the base form of the verb instead of the past participle in a passive construction. Although examples can be found across News & Media and Science, it's essential to use the grammatically correct version to maintain clarity and credibility. The correct phrase functions as a passive infinitive, expressing the need for something to undergo identification. Be sure to use alternatives like "to be recognized" or "to be ascertained" if the context allows.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be recognized

Replaces "identify" with a more common synonym, maintaining the passive infinitive structure.

must be identified

Replaces the infinitive with a modal verb to indicate obligation.

to be ascertained

Uses a more formal verb to indicate the need for confirmation or discovery.

to be determined

Emphasizes the need for a decision or calculation to establish something's identity.

should be identified

Replaces the infinitive with a modal verb to indicate suggestion.

to be pinpointed

Suggests a more precise and specific form of identification.

to be detected

Focuses on discovering or noticing something that might be hidden or subtle.

to require identification

Shifts the structure to use "require" and a noun form of "identify".

identification is needed

Restructures the phrase to focus on the necessity of identification as a noun.

needing to be identified

Changes the phrase to a gerund phrase, emphasizing the ongoing need for identification.

FAQs

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

Use "to be identified" when you want to express that someone or something needs to be recognized or determined. For example, "The suspect is believed "to be identified" by the witnesses."

Is "to be identify" grammatically correct?

No, "to be identify" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""to be identified"", which uses the past participle of the verb "identify".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to be recognized", "to be ascertained", or "to be determined".

What is the difference between "to identify" and ""to be identified""?

"To identify" is an active infinitive, meaning someone is performing the action of identifying. "To be identified" is a passive infinitive, meaning someone or something is receiving the action of being identified.