be more specific about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be more specific about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to be more detailed or clear when speaking or writing about something. For example: "Can you please be more specific about what you'd like me to do?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you be more specific about it?

The New York Times

"I can't be more specific about it".

The New York Times

The official would not be more specific about either number.

The New York Times

He declined to be more specific about its contents.

The New York Times

He declined to be more specific about further cooperation.

The New York Times

I'm reluctant to be more specific about Thomas's itinerary.

The New York Times

Can you be more specific about what they should do with this elevated risk?

The New York Times

She declined to be more specific about the circumstances surrounding Mr. Bohler's death.

The New York Times

He declined to be more specific about how much the companies had contributed.

The New York Times

But she called on H&M to be more specific about its aims.

The Guardian - Business

Cameron also needs to be more specific about the origins of his savings, he added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be more specific about", clearly state the topic you need clarified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be more specific about" without indicating what aspect requires further clarification. Instead of saying "Be more specific about it", specify the "it": "Be more specific about the budget allocation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be more specific about" functions as an imperative request. It directly asks the listener or reader to provide additional details or clarification on a particular topic. Ludwig examples showcase this function in various contexts, ranging from news reporting to personal inquiries. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be more specific about" serves as a direct and versatile request for detailed clarification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig. While its neutral tone makes it suitable for professional settings, its directness may need to be adjusted based on interpersonal dynamics. Alternatives such as "elaborate on" or "provide more detail about" offer more nuanced ways to seek further information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be more precise about

It emphasizes the need for accuracy and exactness.

provide more detail about

This alternative directly requests more information.

go into more detail

This option implies a request for a deeper explanation.

explain in greater detail

Suggests a need for a more comprehensive explanation.

elaborate on

This is a more concise way to ask for details.

expand upon

Similar to 'elaborate on' but can also mean to develop an idea further.

can you clarify

This option is used for seeking clarity on a previous statement.

offer a more detailed explanation of

This is a more formal and elaborate way of asking for more details.

give more particulars about

This phrase is slightly more formal.

shed more light on

Asks for more information to illuminate the topic.

FAQs

How do I use "be more specific about" in a sentence?

You can use "be more specific about" to request someone to provide more detailed information. For example, "Can you "be more specific about" the project's timeline?"

What's a less direct way to ask someone to "be more specific about" something?

Instead of directly saying ""be more specific about"", you could ask, "Could you elaborate on that?" or "Could you provide more details about that?"

What can I say instead of "be more specific about"?

You can use alternatives like "elaborate on", "provide more detail about", or "can you clarify" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "be more specific about"?

It is appropriate to use ""be more specific about"" in situations where you need someone to provide more detailed or precise information, especially when the initial information is vague or unclear.