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Identify vs Investigate - What's the difference?

identify | investigate |

In transitive terms the difference between identify and investigate

is that identify is to equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one while investigate is to examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.

In intransitive terms the difference between identify and investigate

is that identify is to claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself while investigate is to conduct an inquiry or examination.

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

    investigate

    English

    Verb

    (investigat)
  • To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.
  • to investigate the causes of natural phenomena
  • To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
  • to investigate an unsolved murder
  • To conduct an inquiry or examination.
  • * 1903 , , "The Shadow and the Flash,"
  • "Why don't you investigate'?" he demanded. And ' investigate I did.

    Synonyms

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