a specific quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular amount or number of something in a clear and precise manner. Example: "In order to complete the experiment, we need a specific quantity of the chemical compound."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

You mix a specific quantity of milk, eggs, sugar, and flour, and you have a pastry.

The New Yorker

A carbon tax is not guaranteed to achieve a specific quantity of GHG emissions.

Stanford University

The thermodynamic laws (as well as Newton's laws) are for a system, a specific quantity of matter.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Carbon adsorption system means a system consisting of a tank or container that contains a specific quantity of activated carbon.

Cornell University

There need not be a specific quantity of aid below which it will do little and above which it will make all the difference.

The Economist

Defect correction is applied to obtain a solution with improved accuracy and adjoint techniques are used to estimate the remaining error for a specific quantity of interest.

Journal of Computational Physics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

From the panoramic view, each route between the two situations is characterized by a specific numerical quantity called its action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Numerical targets set a specific allowable quantity of a pollutant (e.g., 10 micrograms of carbon monoxide per cubic metre of air measured over an eight-hour period).

Britannica

Unless a recipe lists a specific measured quantity (for example, one-half teaspoon finely chopped garlic) you can assume the number of cloves is meant to be a general guide.

The New York Times - Food

The individual recipients each require a specific minimum quantity of the resource in order to achieve a positive payoff.

Health Economics Review

To the data obtained from one sampling of a specific physical quantity (such as temperature), the data is considered to be correct in the case that the data error between the measured value and the real value of the environment is less than a given threshold.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific quantity", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the scale or units involved. Avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific quantity" when the exact amount is unknown or irrelevant. Using it implies precision, so ensure the context warrants such specificity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific quantity" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as an object or complement within a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples in various contexts, confirming its versatility. It denotes a particular amount that is well-defined or crucial in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a specific quantity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a particular amount with precision. As Ludwig's analysis confirms, the phrase is correct and effective in various contexts, particularly in scientific, academic, and news-related content. It's essential to use this phrase when the exact amount is crucial and to avoid it when precision is unnecessary. Its widespread use across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and acceptability in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a precise amount

Replaces "specific" with "precise", emphasizing exactness.

a definite quantity

Substitutes "specific" with "definite", highlighting clarity and certainty.

an exact quantity

Uses "exact" instead of "specific" to stress accuracy.

a particular amount

Replaces "specific quantity" with a more general term, but retains the idea of being distinct.

a defined quantity

Highlights that the quantity has been clearly established or determined.

a measurable amount

Focuses on the ability to measure the quantity.

a known quantity

Emphasizes that the quantity is not unknown or uncertain.

a set quantity

Indicates that the quantity is predetermined or fixed.

a given quantity

Implies the quantity has been pre-established or assigned.

a fixed amount

Highlights the quantity is unchangeable.

FAQs

How to use "a specific quantity" in a sentence?

Use "a specific quantity" when you want to emphasize the precision or exactness of an amount, for example, "The experiment requires "a specific quantity" of reagent to ensure accurate results".

What can I say instead of "a specific quantity"?

You can use alternatives like "a precise amount", "a definite quantity", or "an exact quantity" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a specific quantity"?

It's appropriate when the exact amount or measure is critical for understanding or achieving a desired outcome. If the amount is not critical, more general terms like "some" or "several" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "a specific quantity" and "a particular quantity"?

"A specific quantity" emphasizes exactness and precision, while "a particular quantity" highlights that it is one amount among many possible amounts, though not necessarily with an emphasis on precision. Therefore, "a particular quantity" can be less formal than "a specific quantity".