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Analyze vs Identify - What's the difference?

analyze | identify |

In transitive terms the difference between analyze and identify

is that analyze is to examine in such a manner as to ascertain the elements or nature of the thing examined; as, to analyze a fossil substance, to analyze a sentence or a word, or to analyze an action to ascertain its morality while identify is to equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.

analyze

English

Alternative forms

* analyse (Commonwealth except Canada)

Verb

(analyz)
  • To subject to analysis.
  • To resolve (anything complex) into its elements.
  • To separate into the constituent parts, for the purpose of an examination of each separately.
  • To examine in such a manner as to ascertain the elements or nature of the thing examined; as, to analyze a fossil substance, to analyze a sentence or a word, or to analyze an action to ascertain its morality.
  • Usage notes

    * According to the third edition of (w, Fowler's Modern English Usage), both analyze'' and the British spelling ''analyse'' are equally indefensible from an etymological perspective. The correct but now impossible form should have been ''analysize .

    Derived terms

    * analyzable, analysable * analyzability, analysability * analyzer, analyser * psychoanalyze, psychoanalyse

    identify

    English

    Verb

  • To establish the identity of someone or something.
  • *
  • (biology) To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
  • *
  • To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
  • * D. Ramsay
  • Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.
  • * Burke
  • Let us identify , let us incorporate ourselves with the people.
  • (reflexive) To have a strong affinity (with); to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
  • * 1999 , Joyce Crick, translating Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams , Oxford 2008, p. 117:
  • The dream is given a new interpretation if in her dream she means not herself but her friend, if she has put herself in the place of her friend, or, as we may say, she has identified herself with her.
  • To associate oneself with some group.
  • *
  • To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.
  • * {{quote-magazine
  • , year=2010 , author= , title=Youth Who Self-Identify as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual at Higher Suicide Risk, Say Researchers , date=Feb. 6, 2010 , magazine=Science Daily citation , passage="The main message is that it's the interface between individuals and society that causes students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual the most distress," said study first author Yue Zhao. }}

    Synonyms

    * to ID