What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reidentification
Example
The police had to perform a reidentification of the suspect after the initial identification turned out to be incorrect. [reidentification: noun]
Example
The security team needed to reidentify the person who entered the building after reviewing the surveillance footage. [reidentify: verb]
identification
Example
I need to see some identification before I can let you into the building. [identification: noun]
Example
She was able to identify the bird by its distinctive markings. [identify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Identification is more commonly used than reidentification in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Reidentification is more specific and often used in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reidentification and identification?
Identification is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Reidentification can imply a previous mistake or error in identification and is often used in technical or specialized contexts, making it more formal in tone.
