ENGLISH
REFERENCE

identified

v.
B1 Intermediate US //aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd// UK //aɪdˈɛntɪfˌaɪd// iden·ti·fied

v. to recognize or name who someone is or what something is. You use this when you pick out one specific thing from a group.

v. to establish or indicate who or what someone or something is. Often used in the passive voice to describe the result of an investigation or classification process.


SIMPLE

The witness identified the suspect in the lineup.

CONTEXTUAL

Scientists have identified several new species of insects in the remote parts of the rainforest this year.

COMPLEX

Although the document was heavily damaged by the fire, forensic experts eventually identified the original signature using specialized lighting techniques.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and frequently takes a direct object; it often appears in the passive form ('was identified').

Pitfall

The police identified with the thief.The police identified the thief.'Identify with' means to feel sympathy or a connection; to name a person or thing, use 'identify' as a direct transitive verb.

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