was identified by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was identified by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts and refers to the process of recognizing or distinguishing someone or something. Example 1: The suspect was identified by the victim as the person who had robbed her at gunpoint. Example 2: The species of bird was identified by its distinct red and blue feathers. Example 3: The missing child was identified by the birthmark on his arm. Example 4: The new breakthrough in cancer research was identified by a team of scientists at the university.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was identified by his fingerprints.

The New York Times - Sports

He was identified by his fellow soldiers.

The Guardian

He was identified by an alleged eyewitness.

The New York Times

His body was identified by relatives.

The Guardian

The woman was identified by her passport.

The New York Times

The strongest pause, GGCGAT TCT, was identified by gel electrophoresis.

Stanford University

One of those sites was identified by the university's archaeologists.

Stanford University

Ibrahim el-Bakraoui was identified by his fingerprints.

The Guardian

The victim was identified by neighbors as Lynn Ascolese.

The New York Times

The condition was identified by doctors before 1990.

The New York Times

He was identified by Mr. Grimaldi as Darel Alford.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was identified by", ensure the subject and the identifier are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The suspect was identified by the witness" is clearer than "The suspect was identified."

Common error

Avoid using overly general identifiers with "was identified by". For instance, instead of saying "The problem was identified by experts", specify which experts or what kind of analysis led to the identification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was identified by" functions as a passive construction, indicating the means or agent through which someone or something was recognized or determined. Ludwig shows examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was identified by" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates the process of recognition or determination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, showcasing its versatility and reliability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying both the subject and the identifier. While various alternatives exist, such as "was recognized by" or "was detected by", the choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was recognized by

Focuses on acknowledgment or acceptance, rather than strict identification. Slightly less precise.

was detected by

Emphasizes the discovery aspect, particularly when using instruments or methods.

was determined by

Highlights the conclusive finding after an evaluation or analysis process.

was discovered by

Indicates something previously unknown being found or learned.

was pinpointed by

Suggests a precise and accurate location or cause was found.

was ascertained by

Focuses on confirming something to be true with certainty.

was unveiled by

Emphasizes the revealing or uncovering of something that was previously hidden.

was diagnosed by

Specifically refers to the identification of a medical condition or problem.

was classified by

Implies placement into a category or group based on specific criteria.

was singled out by

Highlights the act of choosing or distinguishing something from a larger group.

FAQs

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

Use "was identified by" to indicate how someone or something was recognized or determined. For example, "The victim "was identified by his fingerprints"."

What are some alternatives to "was identified by"?

Alternatives include "was recognized by", "was detected by", or "was determined by", depending on the context.

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

The passive voice is appropriate when the identifier is more important than the identified, or when the actor is unknown. Active voice might be preferable for directness. For example, instead of "The error was identified by the system", you could say "The system identified the error".

Which is correct, "was identified by" or "is identified by"?

"Was identified by" is used for past events, while "is identified by" is used for current or ongoing identification. For example, "The suspect "was identified by" witnesses yesterday" versus "The species "is identified by" its unique markings".