it specific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it specific" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "is it specific"? You can use a corrected version when asking for clarification about the specificity of something. Example: "Can you clarify if it is specific enough for the project requirements?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We call it Specific Individual Assistance," he said.

The New York Times

Maybe I took the general and made it specific.

The New York Times

Is it specific as to time or place or method of attack?

The New York Times

But that's the thing with art: if you make it specific, it's universal.

The Guardian

But with Trump, he went on, it could be a range of offenses: "Is it specific acts of collusion?

The New Yorker

If you intend to study for a masters, make it specific rather than general, so focus on the particular area of international development that interests you.

The Guardian

Neither of these characters are African-American, but many hip-hop gangsta figures have been able to appropriate their imagery and make it specific to their own circumstances.

The New York Times - Books

"This really allows women to share the beauty of the dance and keep it specific to keeping women healthy and well for childbearing and sexuality," Ms. Wallasch said.

The New York Times

The emotional heart of the book is a moment both in time and out of it; specific, and a product of Carson's temporal meddling, but also eternal.

The Guardian - Books

Each dolphin has a unique whistle that gives it specific identity, like the names we have as humans.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Optical densities were measured using a Biotech® microplate reader and Gentec® software, version 1.08 then imported into QFT-IT specific software (QuantiFERON®-TB QuantiFERON®-TB Goldre version 2.50.4).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity in your writing, consider rephrasing sentences containing "it specific" to specify the subject more explicitly. For instance, instead of "make it specific", use "make the instructions specific".

Common error

Avoid using "it specific" as a standalone phrase, as it lacks grammatical correctness. Ensure that you include a verb (e.g., "is it specific") or rephrase entirely to maintain grammatical accuracy. For example, prefer "Is the information specific enough?" instead of "make it specific".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it specific" functions as a descriptive element, attempting to attribute a quality of being defined or particular to something. While common, as noted by Ludwig, it's grammatically flawed. Correct usage requires a verb (e.g., 'is it specific?').

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it specific" is frequently encountered across diverse sources, ranging from news articles to scientific publications and even informal wikis, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights this, recommending the use of grammatically sound alternatives such as “is it specific?”, “specifically”, or “in particular” to maintain clarity and precision. Correcting this phrase enhances the professionalism and accuracy of your writing, aligning it with the standards expected in formal and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specifically

Adverb form, focusing on the manner in which something is specific. Using an adverb instead of a phrase.

in particular

Highlights a particular instance or aspect. Maintains a focus on the specific nature, but with a different structure.

particularly

Similar to "in particular", emphasizing a certain aspect. Adverbial form indicating emphasis on a specific detail.

a specific instance

Replaces 'it' with 'a specific instance' for better clarity. More explicit about referring to a particular case.

a particular case

Similar to 'a specific instance', highlighting a single event. Substitutes 'specific' with 'particular' maintaining the meaning.

uniquely

Indicates something is distinct and unparalleled. Focuses on uniqueness rather than general specificity.

precisely

Emphasizes exactness and accuracy. Different nuance, centering on accuracy rather than general specificity.

exactly

Highlights accuracy without focusing on the 'specific' nature itself. Centers on exactness rather than particularity.

definitely

Focuses on the certainty or definiteness of something. Expresses certainty rather than specificity.

certainly

Similar to 'definitely', stressing the assuredness of something. Maintains a focus on certainty rather than specificity.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the concept of specificity in a sentence?

Instead of using the grammatically incorrect phrase "it specific", rephrase your sentence to include a verb. For example, use "Is "is it specific"?" or "make it more specific".

What are some alternatives to "it specific" that I can use in my writing?

Consider using alternatives such as "specifically", "in particular", or "a specific instance" to convey the idea of specificity with better grammatical accuracy.

Is "it specific" ever correct in English?

No, "it specific" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It is best to avoid this phrasing and opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "is it specific" or rephrasing the sentence to use an adverb like "specifically".

How to use "specific" correctly?

The word "specific" needs other helping verbs to be correctly formatted. You can say something like "Is "is it specific"?", "make it "more specific"" or "be "be specific"".