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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
be specified to be
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "be specified to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express that something is clear and unambiguous. For example, "The rules of the tournament must be specified to be followed by all participants."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Alternative expressions(20)
was specified to be
be defined as
be designated as
is specified as
was determined to be
be designated as being
be defined as being
be characterized as being
be determined to be
be stipulated to be
be identified as being
be understood to be
be described to be
be defined to be
be classified to be
be identified to be
be certified to be
be clarified to be
be verified to be
be testified to be
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
Within each group, the response thresholds can be specified to be either item-specific or equal for all items.
This procedure has the advantage that many β i -parameters that would otherwise be specified to be class- and group-specific (i.e., (tilde{upbeta }_{ig} -parameters) are estimated on the basis of a larger number of item responses.
The same result can be obtained if there is a reduced propensity for a recombinational interaction to be specified to be a crossover.
Science
As an alternative, model-based approaches can be specified to be dynamic by incorporating future forest conditions and global change scenarios to determine their implications on C stocks and sequestration patterns.
For instance, suppose the goal of the meta-analysis is to compare two tests A and B, one with 3 and the other with 5 categories, and each study reporting either A or B. Then the ξ ij model for A can be specified to be completely different from that of B. Such a model can still be estimated in for instance using Proc NLMIXED.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
Our Spotify account is specified to be Spotify Free, registered with my husband's email address.
News & Media
For example, if an identification number is specified to be nine digits, the DBMS may reject an update attempting to assign a value with more or fewer digits or one including an alphabetic character.
Encyclopedias
The detector thickness was specified to be 20 μm with an rms thickness uniformity of±0.5%.
The joint resistance is specified to be less than 4 nΩ.
For each fluid parcel a limited reservoir of silica was specified to be consumed by diatoms.
Science
In both cases, the wires' outer PVC sheath was specified to be UV protected.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "be specified to be", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the specifying. Clarity in the subject defining the specification enhances understanding.
Common error
Avoid using "be specified to be" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "defined as" or "set as" to maintain a natural tone.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "be specified to be" primarily functions as part of a passive infinitive construction. It indicates that something is being defined or designated in a particular way. Ludwig shows this phrase appears in contexts where precise conditions or parameters are being described.
Frequent in
Science
80%
News & Media
10%
Encyclopedias
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "be specified to be" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression primarily used in formal contexts, especially within scientific and technical writing. As shown by Ludwig, its purpose is to clearly define or designate a particular condition or characteristic. While generally correct and acceptable, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives in more casual settings to maintain a natural tone. The phrase sees frequent usage in scientific literature and formal documentation, emphasizing precision and clarity, however Ludwig AI indicates it's perfectly usable in written English.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
be designated as being
Replaces "specified" with "designated", emphasizing the act of formally assigning a characteristic.
be defined as being
Substitutes "specified" with "defined", focusing on establishing a clear and precise meaning or scope.
be characterized as being
Emphasizes the description of key features or qualities, using "characterized" instead of "specified".
be determined to be
Shifts the focus to the process of finding something out definitively, using "determined".
be stipulated to be
Replaces "specified" with "stipulated", highlighting a condition or requirement that is agreed upon.
be identified as being
Focuses on recognizing or pointing out a particular quality or attribute, using "identified".
be required to be
Emphasizes a mandatory aspect, replacing "specified" with "required".
be set to be
Focuses on a predetermined arrangement or configuration, using "set" instead of "specified".
be understood to be
Implies a general agreement or common knowledge about a condition, replacing "specified" with "understood".
be labeled as being
Highlights the act of assigning a descriptive name or classification, using "labeled" instead of "specified".
FAQs
How can I use "be specified to be" in a sentence?
Use "be specified to be" when you want to express that something has been clearly and unambiguously defined or designated. For example, "The delivery date "was specified to be" Friday."
What are some alternatives to "be specified to be"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be defined as", "be designated as" or be set to.
Is it better to use "be specified to be" or "is specified as"?
While both are grammatically correct, "be specified to be" is often used when detailing a characteristic or condition. "Is specified as" might be preferred when directly assigning a label. For example, "The role "is specified as" team lead."
What's the difference between "be specified to be" and "be determined to be"?
"Be specified to be" implies a pre-defined condition or characteristic, while "be determined to be" suggests a conclusion reached after some investigation or process. For instance, "The outcome "was determined to be" positive after the tests."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested