Being more specific

USAGE SUMMARY

"Being more specific" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that more detail is needed in order to answer a question or to provide a better understanding of the situation. For example, "Can you tell me what you mean?" "Being more specific would help me understand better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Being more specific from the beginning helps tremendously with prioritizing one market over another, creating a staffing plan, and budget allocation all of which are necessary for helping a company achieve its desired global goals.

Harvard Business Review

Being more specific, any wavelet satisfying Εq. 2, where ( widehat{psi}left omega right) ) denotes the Fourier transform of the wavelet, will suffice.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

without being more specific.

The New York Times

The transaction is expected to close soon, Compuware said yesterday, without being more specific.

The New York Times

Cox Communications has said it is interested in buying local systems, without being more specific.

The New York Times

Apologies for not being more specific, but the local TV station isn't being very helpful.

The Guardian - Sport

One person involved says an announcement is likely soon, but refrained from being more specific.

The New York Times

"But it will take some time," Mr. Vestberg said, without being more specific.

The New York Times - Tech

"We do not believe this to be a random homicide," Mr. Molinelli said, without being more specific.

The New York Times

"Obviously as a network we have to be prepared for that," Ms. Weinberg of NBC said, without being more specific.

The New York Times - Arts

The BlackBerry will be preloaded with Yahoo's software "in the coming months," the companies said, without being more specific.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting clarification, use "being more specific" followed by a direct question or request to ensure clarity. For example, "Being more specific, what aspect of the project are you concerned about?"

Common error

Avoid simply stating "being more specific" without indicating what needs clarification or what information is missing. Provide context for your request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Being more specific" typically functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a request or suggestion for greater detail or clarity. It aims to refine communication or provide more precise information. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Being more specific" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to request or suggest greater detail in communication. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts, especially in news, media, science, and formal settings. To use it effectively, provide context for your request, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives include "providing more details" or "elaborating further". Remember, precision is key, particularly in technical, legal, and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Providing more details

Focuses on the action of supplying additional information.

Giving a clearer explanation

Emphasizes making something easier to understand.

Elaborating further

Highlights the expansion of an idea or statement.

Offering a more precise definition

Stresses accuracy and exactness in explanation.

Supplying more granular information

Implies providing information at a detailed level.

Clarifying the specifics

Highlights focusing on very particular details.

Being less ambiguous

Focuses on reducing vagueness or uncertainty.

Stating the specifics

Emphasizes the act of declaring specific details.

Outlining the details

Highlights presenting a structured view of specific information.

Defining parameters more thoroughly

Highlights better parameters definition.

FAQs

How do I ask someone to elaborate using "being more specific"?

You can phrase your request as a question, such as "Can you be more specific about the timeline?" or "Being more specific, what aspect of the plan are you referring to?"

What are some alternatives to "being more specific"?

Alternatives include "providing more details", "giving a clearer explanation", or "elaborating further" depending on the situation.

Is it always necessary to be very specific in communication?

While clarity is generally beneficial, "being more specific" is especially crucial when giving instructions, providing feedback, or discussing complex topics to avoid misunderstandings. Sometimes, a general overview suffices.

When is "being more specific" particularly important in writing?

Being more specific is crucial in technical writing, legal documents, and academic papers where precision is paramount. Vague language can lead to misinterpretations or legal challenges.