be more precise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be more precise" is a common and accepted phrase in written English.
It is used when someone wants the speaker or writer to be more specific or give more details or facts. For example: "Can you tell me what kind of fabric it is? Be more precise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Let me be more precise.

The New York Times - Food

Of the watchman, to be more precise.

The New Yorker

To be more precise: her hatred.

The New Yorker

Or to be more precise, zebrafish.

Independent

Can you be more precise?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I try to be more precise".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He could not be more precise.

The New York Times

"We hope to be more precise.

The New York Times

Or, to be more precise, plunging.

The Guardian - Travel

Or, to be more precise, Kelvin's war.

The Guardian

I have to be more precise for this offense to be more precise".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "be more precise", consider the context. Are you looking for more details, a clearer definition, or greater accuracy? Tailor your request to get the information you need.

Common error

Avoid asking someone to "be more precise" without indicating what aspect needs clarification. Instead of a general request, specify what you need to know: "Be more precise about the timeline" or "Be more precise about the budget allocation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be more precise" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to provide a higher level of accuracy or detail. Ludwig examples show its use in requests for clearer explanations or more specific information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be more precise" is a common and grammatically correct way to ask for greater clarity or detail. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is a versatile imperative used across diverse contexts like News & Media and Science. Related phrases include "be more specific", "clarify your statement", and "provide more details". When using this phrase, remember to be specific about what needs clarification to avoid vagueness. Top sources using this phrase are authoritative news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. In summary, "be more precise" is a valuable tool for ensuring clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be more specific

This alternative directly requests greater detail and clarity.

be more exact

This alternative calls for increased accuracy and precision.

provide more details

This alternative emphasizes the need for additional information.

specify your meaning

This asks for a more defined and limited interpretation.

clarify your statement

This shifts the focus to the speaker's clarity, urging them to explain further.

give a more accurate account

This alternative emphasizes correctness and truthfulness in the provided information.

offer a clearer explanation

This alternative focuses on the understandability of the explanation.

elaborate further

This requests a more extensive explanation or expansion on the topic.

can you elaborate

This is a question asking for more detailed information or explanation.

define your terms

This requests that the speaker clearly explain the meaning of the words they are using.

FAQs

What does "be more precise" mean?

The phrase "be more precise" is a request for someone to provide more specific details, clearer definitions, or greater accuracy in their statement or explanation. It asks for a higher level of exactness.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "be more precise"?

It's appropriate when the information provided is vague, ambiguous, or lacks sufficient detail for understanding or decision-making. It can also be used when accuracy is crucial and the current information is not reliable enough.

What are some alternatives to saying "be more precise"?

You can use alternatives like "be more specific", "clarify your statement", or "provide more details" depending on the context.

How do I politely ask someone to "be more precise"?

Frame your request with politeness. For example, "Could you please be more precise about...?" or "To help me understand better, could you be more precise about...?" This makes the request less demanding.