To be specific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To be specific" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to provide more details about what you have just said. For example: "It's difficult to be productive at home. To be specific, I find it hard to focus when I don't have my regular office setup."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be specific.

The New Yorker

To be specific, the British men's four.

The Guardian - Sport

To be specific, it was packed with nuns.

The New Yorker

To be specific, they turned it into "The Twilight Zone".

The New York Times

To be specific, let's assume May 15.

Forbes

To be specific, it grossed $1.21 million.

Forbes

To be specific, possessors are locative.

Functional Linguistics

To be specific, the number is 10,948.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

To be specific it is a 13-second gap.

BBC

To be specific, assume Rayleigh fading.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Venus, to be specific".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To be specific" to transition from a general statement to a more precise detail, ensuring clarity for your audience. For instance, 'The project requires significant resources. To be specific, we need additional funding and personnel.'

Common error

Avoid using "To be specific" unnecessarily. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Ensure the added detail genuinely adds value and isn't already implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To be specific" functions as a discourse marker or a transitional phrase. It signals to the reader or listener that the speaker is about to provide more detailed or precise information about something previously mentioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and widely used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To be specific" is a versatile phrase used to introduce detailed information and clarification. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. Its function is to refine previous statements, enhancing understanding through precision. While "To be specific" is generally neutral in register, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "more precisely" or "in particular" can offer variety. Remember to prioritize clarity and relevance when incorporating this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

More precisely

This alternative offers a more concise way to indicate a shift towards greater accuracy or detail.

In particular

This phrase highlights a certain aspect or detail from a more general statement.

Specifically speaking

Adds emphasis to the act of specifying details.

For example

Introduces a clear instance to illustrate a point, which is a form of being specific.

To clarify

Signals an intention to remove ambiguity by providing finer details.

In detail

Suggests a thorough and comprehensive explanation.

Namely

Directly introduces a specific example or element.

To elaborate

Indicates a further development of an initial idea with more details.

By way of explanation

Offers additional information to aid understanding.

Let me explain further

Signals an upcoming, more detailed explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "To be specific" in a sentence?

Use "To be specific" to introduce a more detailed or precise explanation of a previous statement. For example, "The new policy will affect several departments. "To be specific", marketing, sales, and customer service will see the most changes."

What are some alternatives to using "To be specific"?

You can use alternatives like "more precisely", "in particular", or "specifically speaking" to introduce further details or clarification.

Is it redundant to use "To be specific" after already providing details?

Yes, it can be redundant. "To be specific" should introduce details, not follow them. If details are already provided, consider using a phrase like "In summary" or simply omitting the introductory phrase altogether.

What's the difference between "To be specific" and "For example"?

"To be specific" narrows down a general statement to a more precise one, while "for example" introduces an instance or illustration of a general point. "To be specific" offers greater precision; "for example" provides an instance.