it has not specified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has not specified" is not correct in standard English.
The correct form would be "it has not been specified." Example: "The report is unclear because it has not been specified what the budget limits are."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But Facebook has previously said it intends to make it simpler for users to report content problems, and will speed up the process for its reviewers to determine which posts violate its standards (although it has not specified how it will do this).

TechCrunch

It has not specified how many of its customers will need the upgrade, but the BBC understands it to be in the region of 350,000.

BBC

It has not specified on what: it could choose to stop paying pensioners and soldiers before it stopped paying interest on its debt.

The Economist

The European Commission's plans would not require this until 2018, and it has not specified how big such a buffer should be, either.

The New York Times

The company previously set aside a reserve to cover legal costs that it could incur in the case, though it has not specified them.

The New York Times

PricewaterhouseCoopers has said it intends to spin off its consulting unit through a public stock offering, and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu recently announced plans to separate from Deloitte Consulting, though it has not specified how.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Sensibly, it hasn't specified when.

The Economist

The Japanese firm said that it will also "move forward with preparations for splitting out other business units," although it hasn't specified which ones at this point.

TechCrunch

Nokia, which tried 15 years ago to make computers but failed, has not put a price range on the netbook it will reveal that on Sept 2 and while we know that it will come with Windows, it hasn't specified which version.

Forbes

The Trump administration has said that 16 NATO member states are on course to meet their defense spending goals, but it hasn't specified which countries.

Vice

Mr Romney would lower it to 25%, but has not specified which deductions and loopholes he would eliminate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, consider using the passive voice construction "it has not been specified" for improved grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice construction "it has not specified" in formal contexts. Opt for the passive form, "it has not been specified", to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a declarative statement indicating a lack of specific information provided. Ludwig AI notes, the phrase requires a passive construction (it has not been specified) to be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has not specified" is used to indicate a lack of specific information. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically incorrect, with the passive form "it has not been specified" being the preferred alternative. Although found in various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, it's advisable to use the passive form in formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "it has not detailed" or "it has not clarified" for enhanced clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has not detailed

Replaces "specified" with "detailed" to indicate a lack of thorough explanation.

it has not clarified

Uses "clarified" instead of "specified", focusing on the absence of making something clear.

it has not defined

Employs "defined" to suggest a lack of precise meaning or scope.

it has not indicated

Substitutes "specified" with "indicated", implying a failure to point out something directly.

it has not identified

Uses "identified" to denote a lack of pinpointing or naming something.

it has not disclosed

Replaces "specified" with "disclosed" to emphasize a lack of revealing information.

it has not revealed

Uses "revealed" to imply that a lack of information has been shared.

it remains unsaid

This passive construction highlights that something was left unsaid or unstated.

it has not stipulated

Uses "stipulated" instead of "specified", implying failure to make something a condition or requirement

it has not designated

Uses "designated" instead of "specified", indicating a lack of official naming or identification.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "it has not specified"?

The passive form, "it has not been specified", is the grammatically correct way to express this idea. It emphasizes that the specification was not made, rather than focusing on the actor who didn't specify it.

When is it appropriate to use "it has not specified"?

While "it has not specified" is understandable, it's generally better to use the passive form "it has not been specified" in formal writing. In informal conversation, it may be acceptable, but in academic or professional contexts, the passive form is preferred.

What can I say instead of "it has not specified" to sound more formal?

For more formal alternatives, consider phrases like "it has not detailed", "it has not clarified", or "it remains unsaid". These options provide a more polished and professional tone.

What's the difference between "it has not specified" and "it has not been specified"?

The phrase "it has not specified" uses active voice, while "it has not been specified" uses passive voice. The passive voice construction is generally preferred for its grammatical correctness and emphasis on the lack of specification rather than the actor.