he is specific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is specific" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who provides detailed and precise information or instructions. Example: "In his reports, he is specific about the data sources and methodologies used."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He is specific about the faults he found with the poodles.

The New Yorker

He is specific about the amount of spending cuts he seeks -- $100 billion -- but says little about how he will get there.

The New York Times

In other words: he is less unskilled than he is specific in his skills.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I ask him and he's very specific but I don't know what he's specific about".

The Guardian - Music

But he was specific in the skills he hoped to master.

The New York Times

Wilder made certain that he was specific about the requirements in the advertisements for the tryout.

The New York Times - Sports

If he's got a specific allegation, why doesn't me put it in writing, why doesn't he be specific?

The Guardian

It also featured audience games, alongside a few pop songs, props and half a dozen jokes (he was specific on this point).

The Guardian

After requesting to speak with Paterno about the incident, Doe testified that he was specific about the sexual assault but Paterno brushed off the claims.

The Guardian - Sport

He was specific about the offenses and, as he said, "unequivocal".

Huffington Post

As Trump tries to move goal posts on what his tweets claimed recall he was specific: "in Trump Tower…Obama was tapping my phones in October pic.twitter.com/TjAM8fp1jll.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is specific" when you want to emphasize that someone provides detailed information, instructions, or requirements. It's particularly useful in formal writing and professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "he is specific" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "detailed", "precise", or restructuring your sentences to avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is specific" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of being detailed and precise to a male individual. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is specific" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing someone who provides detailed and precise information. While Ludwig shows it is not exceptionally frequent, it appears in reliable news sources. To enhance your writing, consider synonyms such as "he is detailed" or "he is precise" to avoid repetition. The phrase functions as a descriptive statement and maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is detailed

Replaces "specific" with "detailed", focusing on the level of information provided.

he is precise

Substitutes "specific" with "precise", highlighting accuracy and exactness.

he is explicit

Replaces "specific" with "explicit", emphasizing clarity and lack of ambiguity.

he is clear

Uses "clear" instead of "specific", focusing on ease of understanding.

he provides specifics

Restructures the sentence to use "provides specifics" as a verb phrase.

he elaborates

Implies going into detail, replacing "specific" with a verb.

he spells it out

An idiomatic expression meaning to explain something very clearly and directly.

he gets down to brass tacks

Idiomatic expression meaning he starts talking about the most important details.

he clarifies

Focuses on the act of making something understandable, replacing "specific" with a verb.

he cites particulars

Uses "particulars" to refer to specific details, changing the sentence structure.

FAQs

How can I use "he is specific" in a sentence?

You can use "he is specific" to describe someone who provides detailed information. For example: "In his reports, he is specific about the data sources and methodologies used."

What can I say instead of "he is specific"?

You can use alternatives like "he is detailed", "he is precise", or "he is explicit" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he is specifically"?

While grammatically sound, "he is specifically" often sounds awkward. It's usually better to rephrase using alternatives such as "he specifies" or "he provides specific details."

What's the difference between "he is specific" and "he is being specific"?

"He is specific" describes a general characteristic or habit, while "he is being specific" refers to a particular instance. For example, "He is specific in his instructions" (general habit) versus "He is being specific about the requirements for this project" (particular instance).