in a specific sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a specific sense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is true in a particular way or context, but not necessarily true in general. For example, "In a specific sense, the election results showed a clear division between the two political parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's music rooted in a specific sense of time and place.

The New York Times - Arts

Results of our previous work on the subject provided a description of minimal (in a specific sense) invariant sets that could be rendered maximally attractive under any quantized feedback strategy.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

In this paper we establish that Schmandt and Galán's approximation is in fact optimal in a specific sense.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Second, we showed that for the specific 3-state example presented in Schmandt and Galán's paper, their approximation is indeed optimal in a specific sense.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

In addition to establishing that Schmandt and Galán's approximation is in fact optimal in a specific sense, we use recent results from random matrix theory to provide heuristic error estimates for the accuracy of the stochastic shielding approximation for an ensemble of random graphs.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

The competent authority - the National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio) - although being by the law endowed with powers to establish principles of risk assessment on the sublegal level has not laid down a step-by-step principle, neither in a general nor in a specific sense.g.g

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr. Wilson refers to this artist, in an accompanying wall panel, as an Abstract Expressionist; while the generational connection is apt, the label suits the painter only if it used in a general rather than a specific sense -- in the way that it might refer to Wassily Kandinsky's paintings of the 'teens, for instance.

The New York Times

How does that play into your writing, in terms of giving it a specific sense of place?

The New Yorker

Every damaged tissue has some level of inflammatory process, but that is not to make inflammation a determinant in any specific sense.

eLife

I feel for Mr. Jeremy, not in any specific sense, but in a general, "Wow, your life must suck…" sense.

TechCrunch

What took place among the remaining Republican Presidential candidates at the Fox Theatre, in Detroit, last night was not a debate, not in any specific sense of the word.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a specific sense" to clarify that your statement applies only under particular conditions, preventing overgeneralizations. For example, "In a specific sense, this policy benefits small businesses, but it may not help larger corporations."

Common error

Avoid using "in a specific sense" without clearly defining what that specific sense is. If you don't provide context, the phrase becomes meaningless and weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a specific sense" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement, limiting its scope or clarifying its particular application. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to indicate that something is true in a defined way or context, rather than universally.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a specific sense" is a useful tool for adding precision to your writing. As Ludwig AI explains, it denotes that a statement holds true under particular, well-defined conditions. It's commonly found in diverse sources such as news media, science and encyclopedia contexts. To make the best use of this expression, remember to specify precisely what that "specific sense" entails. This ensures that your message remains clear and avoids potential misinterpretations. When employed thoughtfully, this phrase adds a valuable layer of nuance to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a particular context

Focuses on the setting or situation in which something applies, rather than the manner.

in a certain respect

Highlights a particular aspect or detail under consideration.

under certain conditions

Emphasizes the prerequisites for a statement or situation to be true.

from a specific angle

Indicates a viewpoint or perspective being taken.

in a defined manner

Highlights that the action or state is delineated.

with a limited scope

Indicates that the scope is restricted or defined.

in a specialized way

Emphasizes the tailored or expert application.

within a strict definition

Focuses on adhering to a precise meaning or interpretation.

in the narrowest meaning

Highlights the most restrictive interpretation of a word or phrase.

for a particular reason

Stresses the justification or cause behind an action or statement.

FAQs

How can I use "in a specific sense" in a sentence?

Use "in a specific sense" to narrow the scope of your statement. For example, you might say, "In a specific sense, the new law is beneficial; however, there are some exceptions."

What's an alternative to "in a specific sense"?

Consider using phrases like "in a particular context", "in a certain respect", or "under certain conditions" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to be specific after using the phrase "in a specific sense"?

Yes, always clarify what you mean after using "in a specific sense". It's important to immediately provide the particular meaning or context to avoid ambiguity. Think of this as a signpost, guiding the reader to the specific perspective you are presenting. Don't make your readers guess or interpret without clear details.

What is the difference between "in a specific sense" and "in general"?

"In a specific sense" indicates a limited or particular application, while "in general" refers to a broad or overall application. The former narrows the focus, while the latter broadens it.