in specific circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in specific circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to particular situations or conditions under which something may apply or occur. Example: "The policy will only be enforced in specific circumstances, such as during a natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The law as it stands allows the police to kettle protesters in specific circumstances.

The Guardian - Opinion

We do accept that government law enforcement agencies may occasionally need to intercept communications in specific circumstances.

The Guardian - Tech

The Netherlands will officially legalize mercy killings in specific circumstances when a euthanasia law takes effect on Monday.

The New York Times

Culling in specific circumstances would be licensed by Scottish Natural Heritage if no other solution could be found, the government said.

The Guardian

Professor Shiv agreed that this information could be useful in specific circumstances, if for instance a homeowner or buyer was on the verge of actually making a deal.

The New York Times

It is aimed at a rare class of people in specific circumstances... Bertrand Russell was absolutely right when he called The Prince "a handbook for gangsters".

The New York Times

Which leads to my main argument: eating meat raised in specific circumstances is ethical; eating meat raised in other circumstances is unethical.

The New York Times - Magazine

Right now they're at about the technological phase that airplanes were in during World War I: nice tools in specific circumstances, but not really overall game changers.

The Economist

Terms in this list were only annotated in specific circumstances.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Hodgkinson found that intuition can be beneficial in specific circumstances.

BBC

This better understanding improves preventive and mitigating actions taken in specific circumstances.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in specific circumstances", clearly define what those circumstances are to avoid ambiguity. Provide concrete examples or clear criteria.

Common error

Avoid using "in specific circumstances" without clarifying what those circumstances entail. Vague references can weaken your argument or create confusion for the reader. Instead, be precise and explicitly state the conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in specific circumstances" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the conditions under which an action occurs or a statement is true. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in specific circumstances" serves as a versatile adverbial phrase, adding crucial conditionality to statements across diverse fields. As Ludwig AI highlights, its grammatical correctness and widespread use make it a staple in both formal and informal communication. While highly functional, precision is key. When deploying this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly defining the circumstances to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "under certain conditions" or "depending on the situation" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis. From scientific journals to news reports, "in specific circumstances" effectively qualifies claims and guides readers towards a nuanced understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under certain conditions

Replaces "specific circumstances" with a more general term for conditions.

in particular situations

Substitutes "circumstances" with "situations", emphasizing the context.

depending on the situation

Highlights the dependency of an outcome on the prevailing situation.

when applicable

Focuses on the applicability of a rule or guideline.

subject to conditions

Emphasizes that something is conditional based on certain factors.

conditional on the context

Specifies that the outcome is dependent on the surrounding context.

given the situation

Introduces the situation as a premise for what follows.

in exceptional cases

Refers to situations that are not the norm.

under defined parameters

Emphasizes the existence of pre-set limits and specific conditions that need to be met.

contingent upon events

Points to specific future events as the trigger or condition for an outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "in specific circumstances" to introduce a condition or situation that affects the outcome or application of something. For example, "The policy will only be enforced "in specific circumstances", such as during a natural disaster."

What are some alternatives to "in specific circumstances"?

Some alternatives include "under certain conditions", "in particular situations", or "depending on the situation", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it redundant to say "in specific and unique circumstances"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using both "specific" and "unique" may be redundant as specificity already implies a level of uniqueness. Consider whether both adjectives are necessary for emphasis.

How does "in specific circumstances" differ from "in general"?

"In general" refers to a common or usual situation, while ""in specific circumstances"" highlights particular situations that deviate from the norm or require different considerations.