A specific group

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A specific group" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular set of individuals or entities that share common characteristics or interests. Example: "The study focused on a specific group of participants who had similar health conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A specific group is not negotiating and is trying to change the terms of reference.

The Guardian

A specific group of readers then tries to replace the words deleted from the particular passage.

Language Testing in Asia

A specific group.

Huffington Post

Your pitch is given to a specific group of people, so you need to adjust it to target them specifically.

Huffington Post

But the offer is intended for a specific group: drug-addicted men and women.

The New York Times

Also, Stampy is a superstar for a specific group of viewers: children.

The Guardian - Tech

But what happens when we no longer see a specific group as human?

The Guardian - Opinion

☐ Is the person promoting an attack on a specific group of perceived political opponents?

The Washington Post

The world does not revolve around a specific group of people.

The New York Times

Scientists insert genes for a light-sensitive ion channel into a specific group of neurons.

Stanford University

"Individualized medicine" aims to target interventions to a specific group of people.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, clarify the characteristics that define "a specific group" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid making broad assumptions or stereotypes when referring to "a specific group". Always base statements on evidence and consider the diversity within the group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific group" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it identifying a particular set of entities being discussed or analyzed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a specific group" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a particular set of individuals or entities sharing distinct characteristics. As noted by Ludwig, it is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While generally neutral in tone, careful usage is advised to avoid overgeneralization or stereotyping. Remember to consider alternatives like "a particular set" or "a targeted demographic" for greater precision in certain contexts. Given its widespread usage and grammatical correctness, "a specific group" remains a versatile and reliable phrase for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A particular set

Replaces "specific" with "particular", emphasizing the distinctiveness of the group.

A defined population

Uses "defined population" to highlight the clear boundaries of the group.

A certain segment

Employs "certain segment" to indicate a portion of a larger whole.

A designated cohort

Substitutes "specific" with "designated", suggesting a formally identified group.

A targeted demographic

Uses "targeted demographic" to emphasize a focus on a group with shared characteristics.

A select few

Emphasizes the small and exclusive nature of the group.

A chosen subset

Highlights the selection of a smaller group from a larger one.

A specialized section

Indicates that the group has unique skills or knowledge.

A discrete category

Uses "discrete category" to emphasize that the group is separate and distinct.

A precise classification

Focuses on the accuracy and detail used to define the group.

FAQs

How can I use "a specific group" in a sentence?

Use "a specific group" to refer to a particular set of people or things with shared characteristics. For example, "The study focused on a specific group of patients with diabetes".

What are some alternatives to "a specific group"?

You can use alternatives such as "a particular set", "a defined population", or "a targeted demographic" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a specific group" or "specific groups"?

Use "a specific group" when referring to one particular group. Use "specific groups" when referring to multiple distinct groups.

What's the difference between "a specific group" and "the specific group"?

"A specific group" implies one of many possible groups with certain characteristics. "The specific group" implies a particular group that has already been identified or is known to the audience.