a specific industry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific industry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular sector or field within the broader context of industries. Example: "The conference will focus on innovations and trends in a specific industry, such as renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it working in a specific industry?

Harvard Business Review

Why target a specific industry when you are looking to raise revenue?

The New York Times

Instead, sector funds gave investors the chance to put their money into a specific industry.

The New York Times

Any taxing program that targets a specific industry is never a very good idea.

The New York Times

Some of the other news digests focus on a specific industry or niche.

The New York Times

A large proportion of new programs focus on a specific industry – for example, healthcare or energy.

Harvard Business Review

They allow you to group together companies in a specific industry in a standardized way.

Cornell University

He didn't specialize in a specific industry, like shipping or airlines.

The New York Times

It is the biggest penalty the commission has yet exacted from a specific industry.

The Economist

Attacks on small businesses represent less than 1percentt of the hacking that targets a specific industry, Symantec said.

The New York Times

But they can't organise workers in a specific industry or city to improve wages, working conditions and benefits.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific industry", ensure you clearly define or provide context for the industry you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the audience understands your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific industry" without providing any context or examples. This can lead to confusion and weaken your argument. Be precise and name the industry you are referring to or provide enough context to identify it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific industry" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing it is used to identify a particular sector within the broader economy. It serves to narrow the focus of a discussion to a defined area of economic activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific industry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for referring to a particular economic sector. Ludwig AI validates its broad applicability, noting its presence across diverse sources such as news articles, academic publications, and business reports. When using this phrase, it's important to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a particular sector" or "a distinct field" can be used to add nuance. Overall, the phrase is a versatile and reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular sector

Uses "sector" instead of "industry", implying a slightly broader category.

a precise sector

Emphasizes the exactness and clarity of the industry being referenced.

a defined sector

Emphasizes the well-defined nature of the industry being referred to.

a distinct field

Replaces "industry" with "field", suggesting a more academic or specialized area.

a designated industry

Implies that the industry has been officially or formally identified.

a chosen field

Suggests a deliberate selection of an industry, implying a choice was made.

a focused area

Stresses the concentrated nature of the industry, suggesting a narrow scope.

a targeted market

Focuses on the market aspect of an industry, implying a specific group of consumers.

a specialized area

Highlights the specialization within an industry, suggesting a niche focus.

a niche market

Highlights a smaller, more specialized segment within an industry.

FAQs

How can I use "a specific industry" in a sentence?

You can use "a specific industry" to refer to a particular sector when discussing trends, regulations, or impacts. For example: "The new regulations will significantly impact "a specific industry"."

What are some alternatives to "a specific industry"?

Alternatives include "a particular sector", "a distinct field", or "a targeted market", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a specific industry" or name the industry directly?

Naming the industry directly is often more precise and informative. However, ""a specific industry"" is useful when you want to discuss general principles applicable to one sector without naming it, or when the exact industry is already clear from context.

What's the difference between "a specific industry" and "the industry"?

"The industry" refers to a general category, like "the tech industry." "A specific industry" implies you are singling out one particular industry from many, or when the context narrows down which industry is being referenced.