In specifically

USAGE SUMMARY

It is not grammatically correct to use "In specifically" as a phrase at the beginning of a sentence.
A more correct phrase would be "Specifically, in..." or "In particular," which both indicate a focus on a specific aspect or detail. This phrase can be used in written English to emphasize a particular detail or specification. For example: "Specifically, in chapter 3 of the book, the author delves into the protagonist's backstory." "In particular, in this experiment, we will be focusing on the effects of temperature on plant growth."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Typical applications include testing in specifically challenging channel situations, or in specific application scenarios.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Next, the work will be dismissed in specifically gendered terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1951, 69percentt of South Africa's black population lived in specifically designated neighborhoods.

The New York Times

One couple flew in specifically to assist the Kempsons in their daily mission.

The Guardian

The rest is history, with a bit of chemistry thrown in (specifically, E621 and E635, humorously described as flavour enhancers).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Every chapter is informative, but, in specifically religious terms, it is the first that sets the story in motion.

The New York Times

Mike Bracken joined the government from the Guardian in 2011, brought in specifically to shake up Whitehall's approach to IT.

The Guardian

After the show, she said she had flown in specifically for the occasion.

The New York Times

"The one obvious means that one can use to offset that is expanding the number of people we allow in, either generally or in specifically focused areas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Users have the option to check-in specifically at a location, or turn on a neighborhood locator that showed their general vicinity to friends who are nearby.

TechCrunch

The landmarks were digitised from the images with ImageJ [ 61] and a plug-in specifically written for this purpose.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "in specifically" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "specifically in" or "particularly in" to enhance readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "in specifically" can sound unnatural to native English speakers. It's better to rephrase the sentence to improve flow and clarity, such as placing "specifically" at the beginning for emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in specifically" functions as a prepositional phrase followed by an adverb. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's not grammatically correct, suggesting that it often leads to awkward sentence constructions. It attempts to narrow or focus the scope of a statement but does so in a non-standard way.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "in specifically" appears across various sources, including news and scientific publications, it is generally considered grammatically awkward and not standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, recommending alternative phrasings like "specifically in" or "particularly in". Its frequency is relatively common; however, writers should aim for clarity and precision by opting for more conventional expressions. The most authoritative sources tend to avoid this phrasing, suggesting that better alternatives exist for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Specifically in

Reverses the order of the words, aligning with standard adverbial usage for clarity.

Particularly in

Emphasizes a certain aspect or detail within a broader context.

Especially in

Highlights an instance or situation that is more notable than others.

Notably in

Draws attention to a significant example or case.

Primarily in

Indicates the main area or context where something occurs.

Principally in

Similar to 'primarily', but can also imply a matter of principle or core belief.

Chiefly in

Indicates the most important or common aspect.

Specifically within

Highlights a very focused or narrow context.

Precisely in

Implies exactness or accuracy regarding a context.

Expressly in

Indicates that something is clearly and unmistakably present in a context.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "in specifically"?

Consider using alternatives such as "specifically in", "particularly in", or "especially in" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "in specifically" grammatically correct?

While found in some sources, "in specifically" is generally considered grammatically awkward. Rewording is recommended for clearer communication.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "in specifically" to make it sound more natural?

Try restructuring the sentence to place "specifically" at the beginning or use a different preposition like "particularly in" to improve the flow.

What's the difference between "in specifically" and "specifically in"?

"In specifically" is less common and can sound awkward. "Specifically in" is more grammatically sound and provides clearer emphasis.