Be sure to specify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be sure to specify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to remind someone to provide specific details or information about a topic or request. Example: "When filling out the application form, be sure to specify your preferred start date."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Be sure to specify exactly which report you need.

Cornell University

Be sure to specify your bike size in the Notes section of the reservation form.

The New York Times - Travel

Be sure to specify which you are choosing at the outset, as waiters will assume the larger meal.

The New York Times

Be sure to specify the similarity and ranking methods, and how the new query is created using relevance feedback.

Cornell University

Be sure to specify what type of job you're looking for.

Forbes

Be sure to specify a date range; otherwise you may end up studying abstracts that are several years old--ancient history in VLSI terms.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Presenting at the 2016 TechCrunch Disrupt SF Hackathon, Guru Ranganathan was sure to specify once he got onstage that his LoveBot doesn't do what you probably think it does.

TechCrunch

If given the option, be sure to narrow down the results by specifying a hometown or school, etc.

WikiHow

All movement of money must be from one IRA custodian to another--be sure to specify a "trustee-to-trustee" transfer.

Forbes

When you specify be sure to include that you would be willing to show flexibility.Try a number of different employers, it is possible that the work you are qualified or experienced in may not be able to offer parent friendly working hours.consider new things and keep an open mind.

WikiHow

Be sure to discard the test after the specified time.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be sure to specify", follow it with a direct and actionable explanation of what needs to be specified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be sure to specify" without clarifying what details are crucial. For example, instead of saying, "Be sure to specify your needs", say, "Be sure to specify your dietary restrictions and allergy information."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sure to specify" functions as an imperative, directly instructing the recipient to provide particular information. This aligns with Ludwig's confirmation that it is usable in written English when emphasizing the provision of details.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

43%

News & Media

29%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be sure to specify" is a common and grammatically sound imperative used to instruct someone to provide clear and exact details. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase, and as demonstrated by the examples, it appears frequently in Wiki articles, News & Media, and Academic contexts. To maximize clarity, follow "be sure to specify" with actionable information. Remember that while generally applicable, this phrase can be replaced with alternatives such as "clearly indicate" or "explicitly state" depending on the formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explicitly state

Highlights the explicitness of the statement.

clearly indicate

Emphasizes the clarity of the indication, replacing "be sure to" with "clearly".

remember to indicate

Changes the emphasis from ensuring specification to remembering to indicate.

be certain to spell out

Replaces specify with 'spell out' indicating to explain in a very clear and detailed way.

make certain to mention

Replaces "specify" with "mention" and "be sure" with "make certain", highlighting the act of bringing something to someone's attention.

ensure you detail

Focuses on ensuring that details are provided.

it is important to clarify

Shifts from a direct imperative to an impersonal statement of importance.

don't forget to state

Uses a negative imperative to remind the user to state something explicitly.

make it a point to note

Emphasizes the importance of noting the information.

take care to define

Emphasizes cautiousness and the act of defining.

FAQs

How can I use "be sure to specify" in a sentence?

Use "be sure to specify" when you want to emphasize the importance of providing particular details. For example, "When ordering, "be sure to specify" your preferred size and flavor."

What are some alternatives to "be sure to specify"?

You can use alternatives like "remember to indicate", "clearly indicate", or "explicitly state" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "be sure to specify" or "make sure to specify"?

Both ""be sure to specify"" and "make sure to specify" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone.

What does it mean to "specify" something?

To "specify" means to state something clearly and exactly, providing detailed information so there is no ambiguity. It's important to "be sure to specify" to avoid misunderstandings.