What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discerned
Example
She discerned a hint of sadness in his voice. [discerned: past tense]
Example
The detective was able to discern the truth from the lies. [discern: verb]
identify
Example
Can you identify the person in this photograph? [identify: verb]
Example
The doctor was able to identify the cause of the patient's symptoms. [identify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Identify is more commonly used than discern in everyday language. Identify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discern is less common and often used in more formal or literary contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between discerned and identify?
Discern is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, while identify is more neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
