he specifies that

USAGE SUMMARY

'he specifies that' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone is defining something or providing detailed instructions. For example: "John specified that the document should be at least two pages long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He specifies that she is not black, but does not want to name her...not yet.

The New York Times - Magazine

She can make it". He specifies that she is not black, but does not want to name her...not yet.

The New York Times - Magazine

He specifies that the concept of rule of law may not be limited to the "operativeness of any legal system".

City, Territory and Architecture

Although he specifies that data collected via this app was housed at the university; used for academic purposes only; and was "not provided to the SCL Group".

TechCrunch

Aristotle tells us that the next step was for the nearest part of the unlimited to be drawn in (Metaph. 1091a17), and elsewhere he specifies that it is time, breath and the void, which are drawn in from the unlimited (Arist., Fr. 201).

SEP

He specifies that this means all emails sent directly to Lerner, those from Lerner and cases in which she was included on the "cc" or "bcc" fields of an email.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To satisfy the completeness condition, that all Cauchy sequences of functions converge (in the mean) to some function in that space, he specified that integration must be defined in the manner of Lebesgue.

SEP

He specified that the action was not directed at Chief Lussen.

The New York Times

He specified that Time Warner did not "have any desire to own a broadcast network".

The New York Times

Several times during his remarks he specified that he has personally directed various federal agencies to do all they can.

The New York Times

He specified that he had taken a "private plane" for a "speaking event with Justice Scalia" in Lubbock, Tex.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he specifies that" to introduce a precise condition, requirement, or detail that needs to be explicitly stated for clarity and to avoid ambiguity. Ensure the context requires this level of exactness.

Common error

Avoid using "he specifies that" in casual conversation or informal writing where a more relaxed phrasing would be more appropriate. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he said that" or "he mentioned that" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he specifies that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a precise detail, condition, or instruction. As supported by Ludwig AI, it highlights the speaker's intent to provide clear and unambiguous information, often in formal settings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he specifies that" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for conveying precise details or conditions, suitable for neutral to formal settings. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, suggesting its role in providing unambiguous information. Although not extremely common, it appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, as detailed in the linguistic analysis. When aiming for a more relaxed tone, simpler alternatives may be preferable, but when precision is paramount, "he specifies that" serves as an effective tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He stipulates that

Uses 'stipulates' which implies a formal agreement or condition, changing the tone.

He details that

Replaces 'specifies' with 'details', focusing on the level of information provided.

He indicates that

Uses 'indicates' which is less forceful and more suggestive than 'specifies'.

He establishes that

Replaces 'specifies' with 'establishes', suggesting a foundational or definitive setting of information.

He lays down that

Employs the phrasal verb 'lays down' implying an authoritative or prescriptive instruction.

He clarifies that

Changes the verb to 'clarifies' implying the information was previously unclear.

He sets out that

Substitutes 'specifies' with 'sets out', suggesting a structured or planned presentation of information.

He determines that

Uses 'determines' indicating a conclusion or decision reached after consideration.

He prescribes that

Uses 'prescribes' which suggests a rule or recommendation, altering the emphasis.

He dictates that

Replaces 'specifies' with 'dictates', conveying a sense of absolute command or control.

FAQs

How can I use "he specifies that" in a sentence?

Use "he specifies that" to introduce a detailed requirement or condition. For example, "He specifies that all reports must be submitted by Friday."

What are some alternatives to "he specifies that"?

You can use alternatives like "he indicates that", "he stipulates that", or "he details that" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "he specifies that" or "he says that"?

"He specifies that" is more formal. "He says that" is a general statement, while "he specifies that" introduces a particular detail or requirement.

What is the difference between "he specifies that" and "he suggests that"?

"He specifies that" implies a definite requirement, whereas "he suggests that" offers a recommendation or proposal. The former is more directive.