be as specific as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be as specific as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide detailed information or clarity on a subject. Example: "When describing your project, please be as specific as possible about your goals and objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Create a shopping list and be as specific as possible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I tried to be as specific as possible when searching.

The Guardian

The Palestinians, for instance, want to be as specific as possible about the borders of their future state.

The New York Times

On the other hand, Mr. Olmert wants to be as specific as possible about the refugee issue.

The New York Times

For that reason, Mr. Selsberg said, he tries to be as specific as possible when negotiating contingency dates in contracts.

The New York Times

And we will encourage reporters to be as specific as possible about the source of any anonymous quotation.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, be as specific as possible.

Forbes

The data used for prioritization is supposed to be as specific as possible.

TechCrunch

With respect to pharmaco-prophylaxis we tried to be as specific as possible.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Be as specific as possible and you will be understood.

Huffington Post

Next, be as specific as you can when writing goals.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or making requests, "be as specific as" possible to avoid ambiguity and ensure the desired outcome is achieved.

Common error

Avoid vague language. Instead of saying "improve customer service", "be as specific as" possible and define measurable goals like "reduce average customer response time by 15%"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be as specific as" functions primarily as a directive, advising or instructing someone to provide detailed and precise information. It is used to encourage clarity and avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms this with multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

36%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be as specific as" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that serves as a directive to provide detailed and precise information. Ludwig AI examples show it is versatile across various contexts, from news and media to wikis and scientific writing. To enhance clarity and avoid misunderstandings, utilizing specific details and concrete examples is crucial. When you apply to "writing a business plan" or simply just when providing feedbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be as detailed as possible

Focuses on providing a high level of detail.

be as precise as possible

Emphasizes accuracy and exactness.

be as explicit as possible

Highlights the importance of being clear and unambiguous.

provide specific details

Shifts from a general instruction to a concrete action.

offer concrete examples

Suggests supplementing information with tangible illustrations.

give precise information

Stresses the need for accurate and verifiable data.

spell it out clearly

Indicates the need for simplicity and easy understanding.

be as clear as you can

Emphasizes clarity from the perspective of the speaker.

go into specifics

Invites detailed explanations.

stipulate clearly

Implies laying out conditions and terms with precision.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be as specific as"?

Alternatives include "be as detailed as possible", "be as precise as possible", or "provide specific details", depending on the context.

In what situations is it important to "be as specific as"?

It's crucial to "be as specific as" possible when giving instructions, setting goals, making requests, or providing feedback to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings. For example, when providing feedback, "be as specific as" possible and detail why something wasn't executed well, not just that it wasn't good enough.

What does it mean to "be as specific as" possible?

To "be as specific as" possible means to provide detailed, precise, and unambiguous information. This includes using concrete examples, quantifiable metrics, and clear language to convey your message effectively. This applies to requests, explanations and even "setting goals".

Why is it important to "be as specific as" possible?

Being specific reduces the chance of misinterpretation, increases efficiency, and helps others understand exactly what you need or expect. It is valuable in communication and also when "writing a business plan".