but specifically that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but specifically that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify or emphasize a particular point or detail in a discussion or argument. Example: "I appreciate your feedback on the project, but specifically that aspect of the timeline needs more attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Critical Care

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

These results demonstrate overall low clinical utility of blood cultures but specifically that utility of ICU cultures is significantly lower than pre ICU (1.7% vs. 6.7%; P = 0.0001).

Critical Care

Writing in the Times, the fashion critic Cathy Horyn declared the show a "sweet victory": "Mr. Scott's great stroke was to use his own experience, which is not merely that of an American in Paris, but specifically that of a Midwesterner — as a foil to jet-set glamour".

The New Yorker

"It is not simply that model returns are flat (or not working)," Mr. Rothman wrote, "but specifically that the models (ours included) are behaving in the opposite way we would predict and have seen and tested for over very long time periods (45-plus years)." As a result, "risk models are miscalibrated for the current market environment," he wrote.

The New York Times

If comedy is becoming the new rock, the Eric Andre show might be an extra-messy new kind of punk, but specifically that late '70s era where a bewildered mainstream media collided with convention-chucking performance art. .

Los Angeles Times

"Being a part of such an inclusive event hosted by an NFL franchise gives me a sliver of hope that teams are beginning to understand not only the value of diversity of all types, but specifically, that there are toxic ideas (of what masculinity is and isn't) and these need to be eradicated," explains Jamil Smith Senior Editor at New Republic and host of the podcast INTERSECTION.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Yeah, I think there's a couple girls but one specifically that's really close to my heart is my daughter Anna Tomical.

Huffington Post

Florida, Ohio, and Virginia would all be tight in a toss-up election, but it's Ohio and Virginia specifically that are likely to be the two tipping-point states.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this particular spot focuses not just on the things that people are doing with iPads, but specifically things that would be cumbersome, irritating or impossible with a laptop.

TechCrunch

New York State requires that a doctor supervise laser treatments, but specifically adds that this "shall not be construed as necessarily requiring the physical presence of the supervising physician at the time and place where such services are performed".

The New York Times

The law also requires that drivers remain seated at the wheel while a self-driving system is operating, but specifically allows that a human behind the wheel not have to pay attention to traffic or concentrate specifically on surrounding traffic.

TechCrunch

Curiel let her go, but specifically ruled that Trump wouldn't be disadvantaged by her departure because other plaintiffs remained on board.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but specifically that" to introduce a key clarification or a more precise detail following a general statement. This helps to focus the reader's attention on the most important aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "but specifically that" in very casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "but especially" or "but mainly" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but specifically that" functions as a conjunction introducing a specific detail or clarification that contrasts with a previous general statement. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is used to refine or narrow down a broader point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but specifically that" is a useful conjunction for adding clarity and emphasis to your writing. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable across different contexts. While the phrase isn't extremely common, it effectively introduces a specific detail that contrasts with a more general statement. To enhance your writing, use "but specifically that" when you need to highlight a key aspect and remember that alternatives like "but particularly that" might be suitable in less formal settings. Avoiding overuse will help maintain a natural and engaging tone. Ludwig's examples show that authoritative sources frequently use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but particularly that

Replaces "specifically" with "particularly", emphasizing a detail or aspect among others.

but especially that

Uses "especially" to highlight a detail as more important or noteworthy.

but notably that

Emphasizes that the subsequent point is worth special attention or is significant.

but precisely that

Indicates exactness or accuracy in the following statement, making it more specific.

but accurately that

Highlights the correctness and truthfulness of the subsequent information.

but explicitly that

Stresses that the information is clearly and directly stated, leaving no room for ambiguity.

but instead that

Offers a contrasting alternative to what was previously mentioned.

but only that

Limits the scope to the specific point mentioned, excluding other possibilities.

but uniquely that

Highlights that something is distinct or unparalleled in the aspect being mentioned.

but singularly that

Similar to "uniquely", emphasizing that the point is exceptional or one of a kind.

FAQs

How can I use "but specifically that" in a sentence?

Use "but specifically that" to introduce a detail that clarifies or emphasizes a preceding statement. For example, "I enjoyed the book, but specifically that the ending was unexpected."

What phrases are similar to "but specifically that"?

Similar phrases include "but particularly that", "but especially that", or "but notably that". Each offers a slightly different nuance of emphasis.

Is "but specifically that" always necessary for clarity?

No, while "but specifically that" can enhance clarity, it's not always necessary. Sometimes a simpler conjunction like "but especially" or restructuring the sentence can achieve the same effect without sounding too formal.

What's the difference between "but specifically that" and "but in particular"?

"But specifically that" introduces a precise clarification, while "but in particular" highlights a noteworthy detail among others. The former narrows the focus more sharply than the latter.