To be more precise

USAGE SUMMARY

"To be more precise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to add more specific detail to something that you have already said. Here is an example: I'm not sure how much money we need for the project, but I think it's around $500. To be more precise, it's $495.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To be more precise: her hatred.

The New Yorker

To be more precise, by (what else?) a taxicab.

The New York Times

To be more precise, it doesn't interact with photons.

The Guardian

To be more precise, I had no friends at all.

The New York Times

To be more precise, he saw his future on television.

The New York Times

To be more precise, consider the following.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

To be more precise, the following holds.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

To be more precise, they established the following theorem.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

To be more precise, they proved the following results.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

To be more precise, Hu [15] obtained the following theorem.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

To be more precise, optimizers "foresee" a future income increase.

SERIEs

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To be more precise" when you want to refine a statement you've just made, offering a more accurate or detailed version. It's useful for correcting slight inaccuracies or providing additional context that clarifies your original point.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "To be more precise". Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and stilted. Vary your sentence structure by using other transitional phrases or incorporating the clarifying information directly into the original sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To be more precise" functions as a discourse marker. As suggested by Ludwig AI, it serves to introduce a refinement, clarification, or more accurate version of a statement that has already been made. It signals that the speaker or writer is about to provide additional detail or correct a potential misunderstanding. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To be more precise" is a versatile introductory phrase used to refine, clarify, or add accuracy to a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. The phrase indicates a shift towards greater detail or a correction of a minor inaccuracy. While highly useful, overuse can make writing sound repetitive, so it's best to use it judiciously. Alternatives like "more specifically" and "in greater detail" can provide variety. Ludwig examples provide a clear view of how the phrase is naturally incorporated into texts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

More specifically

Changes the focus to the specific details of the topic.

To put it more accurately

Highlights the correction of a previous statement.

In greater detail

Emphasizes the intention to elaborate further.

To clarify

Indicates an intention to make something easier to understand.

By way of explanation

Introduces additional clarifying information.

Let me elaborate

Highlights the fact that you are choosing to give more information.

In other words

Offers a rephrasing of the previous statement.

That is to say

Provides an explanation or interpretation.

For instance

Introduces an example to illustrate the point.

Namely

Indicates a specification or identification.

FAQs

How can I use "To be more precise" in a sentence?

Use "To be more precise" to introduce a more accurate or detailed version of a previous statement. For example, "I think the meeting will last an hour. To be more precise, it's scheduled for 60 minutes".

What can I say instead of "To be more precise"?

You can use alternatives like "more specifically", "in greater detail", or "to put it more accurately" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to follow "To be more precise" with a correction?

Not always. While it often introduces a correction, "To be more precise" can also add finer details or specifications to a statement that is already generally accurate. It's about adding clarity, not necessarily fixing an error.

How does "To be more precise" differ from "In other words"?

"To be more precise" aims to refine or add detail to a previous statement, while "in other words" rephrases the statement in a different way, often for simplification or clarification.