What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detect
Example
The dog was able to detect the scent of drugs in the luggage. [detect: verb]
Example
The doctor used a scanner to detect the tumor in the patient's brain. [detect: verb]
identify
Example
Can you identify the person in this photograph? [identify: verb]
Example
The forensic team was able to identify the suspect through DNA analysis. [identify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Identify is more commonly used than detect in everyday language. Identify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while detect is less common and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between detect and identify?
Both detect and identify can be used in formal or technical contexts, but detect may have a more technical or specialized connotation than identify.
