awfully specific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully specific" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very detailed or precise, often with a hint of sarcasm or criticism. Example: "Her instructions were awfully specific, leaving no room for interpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The rules can be awfully specific.

The New York Times - Sports

That's also an awfully specific target on its filing.

TechCrunch

But that seems awfully specific for it to be coming from nowhere.

TechCrunch

That seems awfully specific.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Meanwhile, there was some sort of NATO strike that, per NATO, wasn't targeting "any specific individuals" but hey, was it awfully adjacent to Muammer Gadhafi?

Huffington Post

And exercise research specific to aging? A. The epidemiology is certainly awfully strong and suggestive that physical activity and exercise correlate with a lower risk of death, heart disease and disability.

The New York Times - Health

Eagle-eyed players may also spot the inclusion of a few other Disney-specific nods, like a rock formation that looks awfully like something out of The Lion King …

TechCrunch

One of them, Amy Silverman, recently published a not awfully flattering profile in Phoenix's alt-weekly New Times last week, featuring examples of McCain's general nastiness and specific misogyny.

Huffington Post

Awfully wrong".

The New York Times - Magazine

Awfully quick.

The New Yorker

Awfully good.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully specific" to express surprise or mild criticism when something is excessively detailed. It often implies that the level of detail is unnecessary or unusual for the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully specific" in situations that require a purely positive or neutral tone. The "awfully" often carries a subtle negative connotation, suggesting the specificity is excessive or unwarranted. If no negative connotation is implied, consider alternatives such as "very specific" or "extremely detailed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully specific" functions as an intensifier (awfully) modifying an adjective (specific). It serves to emphasize the degree to which something is detailed or precise. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awfully specific" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is highly detailed or precise, often with a hint of surprise or mild criticism. Ludwig AI analysis shows that this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and is considered of neutral register. While "awfully specific" is acceptable for general use, writers should be mindful of its subtle negative connotation. Alternatives such as "extremely detailed" or "remarkably precise" may be more appropriate in situations requiring a purely positive or formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely detailed

Replaces "awfully" with "extremely", intensifying the degree of detail.

remarkably precise

Substitutes "awfully" with "remarkably" and "specific" with "precise", emphasizing accuracy.

unusually detailed

Replaces "awfully" with "unusually", highlighting the unexpected level of detail.

surprisingly exact

Uses "surprisingly" instead of "awfully" to emphasize unexpected accuracy.

exceptionally precise

Replaces "awfully" with "exceptionally", denoting an unusual degree of precision.

particularly detailed

Changes "awfully" to "particularly", focusing on the notable level of detail.

noticeably exact

Replaces "awfully" with "noticeably", drawing attention to the accuracy.

distinctly precise

Emphasizes the clear and unmistakable precision.

quite detailed

Uses "quite" instead of "awfully", softening the emphasis while retaining the meaning.

very particular

Shifts the focus to being "particular" rather than merely "specific", suggesting discrimination or attention to detail.

FAQs

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

"Awfully specific" is used to describe something that is very detailed or precise, often with a hint of surprise or mild criticism. For example, "Her instructions were "awfully specific", leaving no room for interpretation."

What phrases can I use instead of "awfully specific"?

Alternatives include "extremely detailed", "remarkably precise", or "unusually detailed" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "awfully specific" a formal or informal expression?

"Awfully specific" leans towards the informal side due to the use of "awfully", which is less common in formal writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "very specific" or "highly detailed".

Does "awfully specific" always have a negative connotation?

While "awfully specific" often implies that the level of detail is unnecessary or excessive, it doesn't always carry a strong negative connotation. The tone depends on the context. However, be mindful of this potential implication and choose your words carefully to avoid unintended negativity.