ENGLISH
REFERENCE

identifies

v.
B1 Intermediate US //aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪz// UK //aɪdˈɛntɪfˌaɪz// iden·ti·fies

v. to recognize someone or something and say who or what they are. You use this when you pick out a specific person or thing from a group.

v. to establish or indicate who or what someone or something is. Transitive; requires a direct object to complete the meaning.


SIMPLE

The witness identifies the suspect in the courtroom.

CONTEXTUAL

The new software automatically identifies faces in your photo library and groups them by person.

COMPLEX

The researcher identifies several key variables that contributed to the experiment's success, though she admits that external factors may have also played a minor role.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

Pitfall

He identifies with a doctorHe identifies as a doctorTo state one's identity or role, use 'identifies as'; 'identifies with' means to feel a personal connection to someone else's feelings.

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