be specific about what

USAGE SUMMARY

"be specific about what" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to be clear and concise about what you are asking for or communicating. For example, if you are asking a colleague to complete a task, you could say "Please be specific about what you need me to do and when you need it done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be specific about what was good and why.

Harvard Business Review

Be specific about what you achieved rather than making sweeping statements.

The Guardian

Be specific about what you can offer: Often people approach an organisation offering to "do anything".

The Guardian

She declined to be specific about what that could include but hinted at direct action.

The Guardian - Film

Ms. McKenna declined to be specific about what might come next.

The New York Times

Instead, thank the person privately or by e-mail — and be specific about what you're acknowledging.

The New York Times

Be specific about what the person did and how it affected you.

The New York Times

"We need to be specific about what we mean, namely bandits, tribal militias or elements of the popular defense forces".

The New York Times

"One, we're challenging them to be specific about what they mean by a tiered pricing system," he said.

The New York Times

Be specific about what each value means, what it looks like in action, and how you'll evaluate adherence to it.

Harvard Business Review

BUT to make support for good spending credible, compassionate deficit reducers should be specific about what they would cut.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing feedback, "be specific about what" action or behavior you're addressing. This helps the recipient understand exactly what needs to be improved or replicated.

Common error

Avoid vague statements when making requests. For example, instead of saying "I need help with the project", "be specific about what" tasks you require assistance with, such as "I need help with data analysis and report writing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be specific about what" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to provide detailed and unambiguous information. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples show it often introduces a request for clarity or detailed explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

15%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be specific about what" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile imperative used to request detailed and unambiguous information across a range of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and understood. When writing or speaking, remember that using this phrase encourages clarity and precision, minimizing potential misunderstandings. It's particularly frequent in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki contexts. To enhance your communication, consider related phrases like "clarify your needs" or "provide explicit details" to tailor your message for the greatest impact. Failing to follow this guideline might result in vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state exactly what you need

This directly asks for a statement of needs, rather than general specificity.

provide explicit details

This stresses providing clear details and is less about the subject of the details.

clarify your needs

This alternative focuses on the action of clarifying needs instead of requesting specificity.

define your requirements

This emphasizes setting clear requirements rather than generally being specific.

offer concrete examples

This directs one to give clear examples.

detail your expectations

This highlights the detailing of expectations, shifting the focus from general specificity.

articulate your desires clearly

This focuses on clear articulation, which implies being specific, but adds an emphasis on clarity.

express your wishes precisely

This highlights the precise expression of wishes, making it slightly more formal.

indicate your precise preferences

This refers specifically to indicating preferences, which may not always be the context.

specify your demands

This focuses on specifying demands, implying a more assertive tone.

FAQs

How can I use "be specific about what" in a sentence?

You can use "be specific about what" when you want someone to provide detailed information or instructions. For example, "When asking for feedback, "be specific about what" aspects of the project you want them to focus on."

What are some alternatives to "be specific about what"?

Alternatives include phrases like "clarify your needs", "define your requirements", or "provide explicit details", depending on the context.

Why is it important to "be specific about what" you want?

Being specific ensures that others understand your expectations and can provide the correct support or information. Vague requests can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies.

In what situations is it crucial to "be specific about what" you need?

It's particularly crucial to "be specific about what" you need in professional settings, such as project management or when delegating tasks, to ensure clear communication and accountability.