was identified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was identified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been identified or recognized in some way. For example, "The suspect was identified by witnesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither man was identified.

The New York Times - Arts

No perpetrator was identified.

The New York Times

Neither was identified publicly.

The New York Times

Neither was identified yesterday.

The New York Times

Neither was identified.

The New York Times

Neither officer was identified.

The New York Times

Neither worker was identified.

The New York Times

A juvenile was identified.

The Washington Post

No specific target was identified.

The New York Times

ODAP was identified in 1964.

The New Yorker

9. was identified in Lochaber?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was identified" when you want to emphasize that a process of identification or recognition took place. For example, "The cause of the error was identified during the investigation".

Common error

Don't use "was identified" when a simpler verb like "found" or "recognized" would suffice. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was identified" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject has undergone a process of recognition or discovery. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

32%

Science

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was identified" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive construction that indicates a process of recognition or discovery. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific writing lends it a formal tone. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse and ensure it appropriately conveys the emphasis on the identification process rather than the identifier. Alternatives like "was recognized" or "was discovered" may be more suitable in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was recognized

Emphasizes acknowledgement or awareness rather than strict determination.

was determined

Focuses on the process of concluding something after investigation.

was discovered

Highlights the finding of something previously unknown.

was detected

Suggests the use of instruments or methods to find something.

was ascertained

Implies a careful and methodical effort to find something out.

was pinpointed

Emphasizes the precise location or identification of something.

was classified

Focuses on categorizing something according to established criteria.

was diagnosed

Specifically used in medical or technical contexts to identify a condition or problem.

was unveiled

Suggests the public revealing of something that was previously hidden or unknown.

came to light

Indicates that information became public or known after being concealed.

FAQs

How can I use "was identified" in a sentence?

Use "was identified" to indicate that something was recognized or determined, often through a specific process. For example, "The problem "was identified" during testing".

What are some alternatives to "was identified"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was recognized", "was detected", or "was discovered".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was identified"?

The choice depends on the context. Passive voice, as in "was identified", is useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant. Active voice is better when you want to emphasize who did the identifying.

What's the difference between "was identified" and "became identified"?

"Was identified" implies a single act of recognition. "Became identified" suggests a gradual process or a change in status over time.