a specific month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular month in a discussion or context where months are being compared or specified. Example: "We need to finalize the project timeline by selecting a specific month for the launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

When only a year was provided without a specific month or day, January 1 was used.

Plosone

Now we have a specific month.

The Guardian - Tech

Politicians since have paid less attention to long-term structures and more to how many jobs they "create" in a specific month.

The New York Times

If the site you seek has been archived, you may even be able to see different versions of it spanning its existence and select a copy from a specific month or year.

The New York Times

locate photos taken during a specific month.

BBC

In this new dataset, each cell represents the attractiveness of a project in a specific month, broken by licensing schema with the various columns.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

For example, we found that M.D.C. staff frequently, and mistakenly, told people who inquired about a specific Sept. 11 detainee that the detainee was not held at the facility when, in fact, the opposite was true.

The New York Times

When multiple copies of a specific MAR are present these are used in a selective fashion indicating adaptability of the MAR sequence to serve as anchor only when needed.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

There is evidence that when multiple copies of a specific MAR are present these are used in a selective fashion, indicating adaptability of the MAR sequence to serve as anchor only under certain conditions [ 53].

Aging

There is evidence that when multiple copies of a specific MAR are present, these are used in a selective fashion, indicating the adaptability of the MAR sequence to serve as anchor only under certain conditions.

DNA Research

For example, survival figures in a given treatment state expressed as percent of surviving patients at a specific time (month or year) after treatment initiation required transformation into yearly rates before they could be used in the model.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a specific month", ensure that the context clearly indicates which month is being referred to, either directly or indirectly. For example, provide context in the surrounding sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific month" without providing enough context. This can lead to confusion if the reader doesn't know which month you're talking about. Always ensure clarity by either stating the month explicitly or providing enough clues for the reader to understand which month is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific month" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjective, modifying another noun in a sentence. It indicates a particular, though not necessarily named, month. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a specific month" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a particular month without explicitly naming it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s used across various contexts including science, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "a particular month" or "a given month" to add nuance or emphasis. Remember to avoid vagueness by providing clear references or explanations in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular month

Replaces "specific" with "particular", offering a slightly different emphasis but maintaining the same core meaning.

a given month

Substitutes "specific" with "given", implying the month has been previously mentioned or is understood in context.

a certain month

Uses "certain" instead of "specific", suggesting a known but not necessarily named month.

one particular month

Adds emphasis using "one" and "particular", highlighting a single month out of many.

the month in question

Refers to a month previously discussed or that is the focus of the current discussion.

the designated month

Implies that the month has been officially selected or appointed for a purpose.

the selected month

Suggests a month has been chosen from a range of options.

an exact month

Replaces "specific" with "exact", emphasizing precision in identifying the month.

a precise month

Similar to "exact month", but with a slightly more formal tone.

the month specified

Passive construction that refers to a month that has been explicitly named.

FAQs

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

You can use "a specific month" to refer to a particular month when discussing plans, events, or data. For example, "The marketing campaign will launch in "a specific month" next year."

What are some alternatives to saying "a specific month"?

Alternatives include "a particular month", "a given month", or "a certain month", depending on the context and level of detail needed.

Is it better to use "a specific month" or name the month directly?

Naming the month directly (e.g., "January") is often clearer. Use ""a specific month"" when the exact month isn't known, isn't important, or is being kept vague for a reason.

Can "a specific month" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""a specific month"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to refer to a month without being too precise or when discussing a general concept related to a month.