checking for specificity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "checking for specificity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of ensuring that something is clear and precise, often in the context of writing or analysis. Example: "Before finalizing the report, we need to spend some time checking for specificity in our definitions and examples."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While checking for specificity of the PCR assay, the reactions with the templates form C. botulinum type C and C/D which were tested became positive, but the rest of the reactions turned negative.

Anaerobe

Instead of replicating the various exact reaction conditions reported in each paper, very lenient settings were applied in all cases, essentially removing the screen for primer/probe vs. candidate hit Tm by setting this threshold to 0°K, and instead checking for specificity by requiring that hits have fewer than 3 mismatches per primer or probe.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For phospho-specific antibodies, each antibody was checked for specificity using cell extracts with and without appropriate ligand induction.

Plosone

Gene-specific primers were designed and checked for specificity using Primer Premier 5.0 (Additional file 4: Table S4) and the NCBI primer Blast tool, respectively.

Biology Direct

Schistosoma mansoni W specific primers pairs (SmWSPP, Additional file 2 table S1) were designed in the female-specific regions using Primer 3 http://frodo.wi.mit.edu/ and checked for specificity using Primer-Blast http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/tools/primer-blast/index.cgi.

BMC Genomics

Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia ruckeri primers probes sets were designed and checked for specificity with diverse Campylobacter, related organisms, and other bacterial pathogens before being used in field samples.

Journal of Microbiological Methods

Primers were checked for specificity using NCBI BLAST searches.

Plosone

Each primer was blasted against the whole Vitis genomic database to check for specificity.

Plosone

All sequences used were checked for specificity by BLAST searches against genome databases.

Plosone

A melt curve was also performed after the assay to check for specificity of the reaction.

Plosone

All quantitative PCR results were checked for specificity by melting curve analysis.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific papers, always use precise language and ensure you're "checking for specificity" in your methods to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Always aim to "check for specificity" when describing experimental procedures or results to ensure clarity and reproducibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "checking for specificity" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It often describes the action of verifying or ensuring a high level of accuracy and precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable in writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

100%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "checking for specificity" is a grammatically sound phrase commonly used in scientific and technical contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the process of verifying accuracy and precision in a method or substance. While not extremely frequent, its usage is well-established in scientific literature. When writing, it's crucial to "check for specificity" to avoid vague language and ensure reproducibility. For alternative phrasings, consider "verifying precision" or "ensuring accuracy", depending on your context. Tools like NCBI BLAST are also valuable for confirming the specificity of primers in molecular biology experiments. By keeping these points in mind, you'll use the phrase effectively and maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verifying the precision

Focuses on confirming the exactness or accuracy of something.

ensuring accuracy

Highlights the act of making certain that something is free from errors.

confirming selectivity

Emphasizes the act of validating the ability to choose or distinguish carefully.

validating the exactness

Stresses the process of proving that something is precise and correct.

assuring distinctiveness

Highlights ensuring a clear and recognizable difference.

ascertaining particularity

Emphasizes the act of finding out something's specific and unique qualities.

assessing selective nature

Focuses on evaluating the quality of being selective.

examining accuracy aspects

Highlights analyzing different facets of accuracy.

investigating definability factors

Emphasizes factors which determine the characteristics of a thing.

evaluating individualization properties

Highlights testing an individual and differentiated properties.

FAQs

How can I use "checking for specificity" in a sentence?

You might use "checking for specificity" when describing a process of ensuring accuracy, as in, "We are "checking for specificity" to ensure our results are valid."

What does "checking for specificity" mean in a scientific context?

In science, "checking for specificity" often refers to verifying that a test, assay, or antibody reacts only with the intended target and not with other similar substances.

Which tool is most suitable when "checking for specificity" in primer design?

NCBI BLAST is a commonly used tool for "checking for specificity" of primers by comparing their sequences against known genomic databases.

What are some alternatives to "checking for specificity"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "verifying precision", "ensuring accuracy", or "confirming selectivity".