were identified as having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were identified as having" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing subjects that have been recognized or classified in a certain way, often in research or analytical contexts. Example: "The participants in the study were identified as having a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some 21% of schoolchildren in England were identified as having SEN in January 2010.

The Guardian

About half the patients were identified as having other mental difficulties, mostly attention deficit disorder.

The New York Times - Health

Two cases were identified as having independent cancers that exhibited different histological and molecular profiles.

Nature

Five studies were identified as having the methodological rigor to provide conclusive results.

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Eight of the 33 compounds were identified as having potential as gasoline blend components.

Fuel

Of these, 62 were identified as having 1 or more unobtainable median CSI components.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

A total of 7654 children were identified as having newly diagnosed epilepsy (125 per 100,000, 99% CI=122-129).

Stanford University

Children were identified as having either UARS (n = 259), OSAS (n = 83), or other sleep disorders (n = 69).

Stanford University

The alarm was first raised on Monday when six patients on one ward were identified as having caught the virus.

The Guardian

Of those 31 cases, 8 were identified as having "moderate or high impact to patients".

The New York Times

A total of 362 participants were identified as having glaucoma of any type and category.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were identified as having", ensure that the identification process is clear. Specify who made the identification and what criteria were used. For example, "Patients were identified as having a high risk of heart disease based on their cholesterol levels and family history".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "were identified as having" can sometimes sound passive and less direct. Consider rephrasing to use a more active voice when possible, such as "Researchers identified the samples as having a unique genetic marker" instead of "The samples were identified as having a unique genetic marker by researchers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were identified as having" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject has been recognized or classified with a specific attribute or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms that this structure adheres to standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were identified as having" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, serving to report findings and observations in a formal and objective manner. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, with numerous examples available across diverse sources. While alternatives exist to add variety or shift to an active voice, "were identified as having" remains a clear and reliable choice for conveying the recognition or classification of subjects with specific attributes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were found to have

Emphasizes the discovery aspect of the identification. It is less formal than "were identified as having".

were recognized to possess

This alternative uses "recognized" instead of "identified", emphasizing acknowledgment of a pre-existing attribute, and replaces "having" with "to possess" for a slightly more formal tone.

were diagnosed with

This option is suitable when referring to a medical condition or problem, emphasizing the diagnostic aspect.

were classified as possessing

This phrase is similar to "were recognized to possess", but the nuance is on the classification.

were labeled as exhibiting

This version focuses on observable characteristics or behaviors. Replace "having" with "exhibiting" to emphasize behavior.

were singled out as presenting

This phrasing emphasizes the act of selecting or highlighting specific subjects based on their presentation of certain traits.

were determined to include

The nuance here is on the properties or elements that were determined to be belonging to the subject.

were established to include

This alternative highlights the establishment of a certain attribute, offering a degree of formality.

were ascertained to feature

This alternative uses "ascertained" instead of "identified", suggesting that a certain attribute, which is now a feature, was discovered.

were designated as holding

This alternative highlights a degree of formality and a meaning of holding certain attributes.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were identified as having" to sound more active?

Consider using an active voice construction like "researchers identified patients "with"" or "the analysis revealed that subjects "possess"". These alternatives can make your writing more direct and engaging.

Is it always necessary to specify who "identified" something when using the phrase "were identified as having"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who made the identification adds clarity and credibility to your statement. If the identifier is unknown or unimportant, it can be omitted, but in most formal contexts, it's best to include it.

What's the difference between saying "were identified as having" and "were diagnosed with"?

"Were diagnosed with" is typically used in medical contexts to indicate a formal diagnosis of a condition or disease. "Were identified as having" is a broader phrase that can apply to various attributes, characteristics, or classifications beyond just medical conditions.

Are there specific contexts where "were identified as having" is preferred over other similar phrases?

The phrase "were identified as having" is particularly useful when you want to emphasize the process of identification or when the identification is based on specific criteria or methods. It is common in research papers, reports, and other formal documents where accuracy and clarity are essential.