be specific for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be specific for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to indicate that something should be detailed or precise regarding a particular subject. Example: "Please be specific for the requirements of the project to avoid any confusion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he declined to be specific, for competitive reasons.

The New York Times

This suggests that the effects of smoking withdrawal may be specific for negative symptoms.

Nature

These genes might be specific for SEAP expression via the plasmid pM1-SEAP (Fig. 1b).

Nature

It doesn't have to be specific, for example, losing data in transit, data corruption and so on.

The Guardian

In other words the membrane transport properties must be specific for the VOCs.

Chemical Engineering Science

Efforts by the scientific community are centred in finding genetic traits that may be specific for extreme human longevity.

Nature

Furthermore, the peptide activity appears to be specific for the hER.

Steroids

The developed HRCA was confirmed to be specific for A. carterae by tests with other algae.

Harmful Algae

can be specific for each selected window depending upon.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Be specific: For example, decide how much of a dip you're willing to endure.

Forbes

As a predictive marker, HLA-A*3101 appears to be specific for carbamazepine-induced cADRs.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "be specific for" with more appropriate phrases like "be specific about" or "be precise regarding" to ensure grammatical correctness and improve communication.

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "specific". The correct preposition to use in this context is "about" or other alternatives like "regarding" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be specific for" functions as an imperative verb phrase aiming to request detailed information. However, it's grammatically questionable. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct usage involves alternatives such as "be specific about" or "be precise regarding".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

13%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be specific for" is commonly used, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct usage involves alternatives like "be specific about" or "be precise regarding". Although prevalent across various contexts, particularly in science and news, it's essential to favor grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and professionalism. Remember to tailor your language to the specific context to ensure effective communication. Replace the incorrect preposition and ensure that the correct message is conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be specific about

Direct replacement using the correct preposition

be precise about

Mirrors the need for accuracy and detail, but uses a different preposition.

be detailed regarding

Highlights the depth of information required, differing slightly in tone.

be explicit about

Stresses clarity and unambiguity, rather than just detail.

be tailored to

Focuses on adaptation or customization for a particular need or context, rather than direct specification.

be customized for

Emphasizes adaptation to particular requirements, shifting focus slightly.

be designed for

Emphasizes the intended purpose or function, shifting the focus from being detailed to being suitable.

be particular about

Implies a concern for detail and accuracy but also suggests pickiness.

cater to

Highlights addressing particular needs, with the main difference being the audience.

be geared toward

Focuses on directing efforts or designs towards a specific outcome.

FAQs

How to correctly use the phrase "be specific"?

To use "be specific" correctly, follow it with "about" or "regarding", for example: "Be specific about your requirements" or "Be specific regarding the data you need".

What can I say instead of "be specific for"?

You can use alternatives like "be precise about", "be detailed regarding", or "be explicit about" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be specific for" or "be specific about"?

"Be specific about" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "Be specific for" is generally considered incorrect.

Is there a difference in meaning between "be specific about" and "be detailed regarding"?

While both phrases encourage providing more information, "be specific about" emphasizes clarity and directness, while ""be detailed regarding"" suggests a comprehensive and thorough explanation.