a specific questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific questions" is not correct in English.
It should be "a specific question" to match the singular form. You can use it when referring to one particular inquiry that requires clarification or detail. Example: "I have a specific question about the project timeline that I would like to discuss."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Military leaders, however, are not policy makers, so should not be expected to determine priorities, be concerned about what the American people want or even consider the global impact of military actions in a specific questions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm not sure you asked me a specific question.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Be sure to articulate a specific question here).

The New York Times

And if you have a specific question, ask our expert!

The New York Times

They're somewhat sophisticated and may have a specific question they want an answer to".

The New York Times - Health

COLL: Amjad asked a specific question about whether the coalition has a position about the treaty.

The New Yorker

"So I would go to him when I had a specific question.

The New York Times

Hers isn't a specific question, but a more general search for advice.

The New York Times

Unionists saw the campaign as a means to an end: securing the right answer to a specific question.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prime minister, at a media conference in Sydney, declined to answer a specific question about any casualties.

The Guardian

Anyone with a specific question they'd like Dave to put to Ali may submit it via us.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure that the noun following "specific" agrees in number (singular or plural) with the intended meaning. Use "a specific question" for a single inquiry and "specific questions" for multiple inquiries.

Common error

Avoid using a plural noun after the indefinite article "a" when referring to a single instance. For example, instead of saying "a specific questions", say "a specific question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific questions" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to introduce a particular inquiry, but due to the pluralization of "questions", it fails to do so correctly. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "a specific question".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a specific questions" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "a specific question". This phrase aims to introduce a particular inquiry or point of focus. While examples of the incorrect form exist, especially in News & Media, and Science as demonstrated by Ludwig, it is crucial to use the grammatically correct version in both formal and informal communication. To avoid this error, always ensure the noun agrees in number with the article. Consider using alternatives like "a particular question" or "a detailed question" for variety and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular question

Emphasizes the distinctness of the question.

a precise question

Highlights the accuracy and exactness of the question.

a detailed question

Focuses on the level of detail involved in the question.

a targeted question

Suggests the question is aimed at a specific aspect.

a focused question

Highlights the concentration of the question on a specific topic.

a well-defined question

Implies clarity and structure in the question.

a specific inquiry

Uses a more formal term for question, emphasizing the investigation aspect.

a pointed question

Suggests the question is direct and to the point.

a direct question

Emphasizes the straightforward nature of the question.

a clear question

Highlights the understandability of the question.

FAQs

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

Use "a specific question" when you are referring to one particular question. For example, "I have "a specific question" about the deadline".

What's the difference between "a specific question" and "specific questions"?

"A specific question" refers to a single, particular question. "Specific questions" refers to multiple questions that are detailed and precise.

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

You can use alternatives like "a particular question", "a detailed question", or "a precise question", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a specific question" or "a specific questions"?

"A specific question" is correct. The phrase "a specific questions" is grammatically incorrect because the singular article "a" cannot be used with the plural noun "questions".