is specified by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is specified by" is both correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when discussing something that has been defined or dictated in a certain way. Example: The dress code for the conference is specified by the organizers and states that all attendees must wear business attire.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the jewelry industry, gold content is specified by karat.

Britannica

The LDAP server is specified by a LDAP URI.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

HTTP version 1.0 is specified by RFC 1945.

Stanford University

First, the self-adaptive architecture is specified by Breeze/ADL.

Journal of Systems and Software

The Controller is specified by Interpreted Petri net.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

An ordinary measurand is specified by its description.

Measurement

Resolution is specified by two numbers like 640 by 480 or 1,280 by 1,024.

The New York Times - Tech

Thorn, F., Gwiazda, J. & Held, R. Myopia progression is specified by a double exponential growth function.

Nature

Furuyama, S. & Biggins, S. Centromere identity is specified by a single centromeric nucleosome in budding yeast.

Nature

The length of time and the makeup of the brine in each lot is specified by the customer.

The New York Times - Food

The number of channels is specified by the width of a relation.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is specified by", ensure that the context clearly identifies the entity or source doing the specifying. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is specified by" without explicitly stating what specifies the subject. For instance, instead of saying 'The process is specified by regulations', clarify by stating 'The process is specified by federal regulations outlined in section 3.2'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is specified by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is being defined, determined, or required by a particular entity or standard. As Ludwig AI highlights, it clearly conveys that requirements have been established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

Academia

30%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is specified by" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent construction used to indicate that something is defined, determined, or required by a particular source. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and common across various domains. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, it serves to provide clarity and precision. When employing this phrase, ensure that the specifier is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "is defined by" or "is determined by" can be used to vary your writing while maintaining semantic accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is defined by

Replaces 'specified' with 'defined', emphasizing the establishment of a clear and precise meaning or scope.

is determined by

Substitutes 'specified' with 'determined', highlighting the act of finding out or establishing something definitively.

is dictated by

Uses 'dictated' instead of 'specified', suggesting a stronger sense of control or requirement from an external source.

is governed by

Replaces 'specified' with 'governed', focusing on the rules or principles that control or influence something.

is regulated by

Substitutes 'specified' with 'regulated', indicating a system of control maintained by authority.

is controlled by

Uses 'controlled' instead of 'specified', focusing on direct influence or command over something.

is prescribed by

Replaces 'specified' with 'prescribed', often used in contexts where rules or instructions are being given, like in medicine or law.

is stipulated by

Substitutes 'specified' with 'stipulated', which is used to indicate that something has been expressly required or agreed in an agreement.

is designated by

Uses 'designated' instead of 'specified', indicating that something has been officially chosen or assigned for a particular purpose.

is indicated by

Replaces 'specified' with 'indicated', focusing on pointing out something rather than precisely defining it.

FAQs

How can I use "is specified by" in a sentence?

The phrase "is specified by" is used to indicate that something is determined, defined, or required by a particular source or standard. For example: "The data format "is specified by" the API documentation."

What are some alternatives to "is specified by"?

You can use alternatives such as "is defined by", "is determined by", or "is governed by" depending on the context. Each alternative provides a slightly different nuance while maintaining a similar core meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "is specified by"?

While "is specified by" is in the passive voice, its appropriateness depends on the context. Using the active voice (e.g., 'The documentation specifies...') can make the sentence more direct, but the passive voice is suitable when the source or actor is less important than the action itself.

What's the difference between "is specified by" and "is indicated by"?

"Is specified by" implies a clear and defined requirement or determination, whereas "is indicated by" suggests a sign or signal, but not necessarily a direct definition. For instance, fever may be indicated by sweating, but the treatment "is specified by" a doctor's prescription.