it was a specific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a specific" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular instance or detail that is distinct or defined in some way. Example: "In the meeting, it was a specific point about budget allocation that sparked the most discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It was a specific time.

The New Yorker

It was a specific recipe: comfortable familiarity set against an alien horror.

The Guardian - Books

"It was a specific effort to target Bonds," Novak told The Arizona Republic.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a specific threat," Ashraf Faiz, Pakistan's senior airport security officer, told reporters.

The Guardian

Mr Straw told BBC's Newsnight it was a "specific problem" in the Pakistani community.

Independent

"It was a specific request: 'How can you do this?' " Walsh, the Knicks' president, recalled recently.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It's a specific area.

The New York Times

It's a specific reality.

The New York Times

It's a specific bacteria, and we can treat that".

The New York Times - Health

"It's a specific period of time, like opera singers.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Europe is not a universal exemplar: it is a specific case and a particular experience.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what is being specified. Avoid vagueness by providing relevant details.

Common error

Avoid using "it was a specific" without providing clear context or details about what is being specified. Overusing the phrase without proper context can make your writing sound repetitive and vague. Be precise and ensure the reader understands what you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a specific" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is a particular, distinct, or clearly defined instance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was a specific" is used to emphasize a particular instance or detail. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. The phrase is considered to have a neutral register, suitable for formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure there's sufficient context for clarity and avoid overuse without providing clear details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a particular

Replaces "specific" with "particular", emphasizing a distinct instance.

it was a definite

Substitutes "specific" with "definite", highlighting a clear and certain aspect.

it was a precise

Changes "specific" to "precise", focusing on exactness and accuracy.

it was an explicit

Replaces "specific" with "explicit", stressing clarity and directness.

it was a designated

Substitutes "specific" with "designated", indicating something appointed or chosen.

it was a certain

Changes "specific" to "certain", conveying a sense of sureness and identifiability.

it was a targeted

Replaces "specific" with "targeted", suggesting a focus on a particular aim.

it was a distinct

Substitutes "specific" with "distinct", highlighting uniqueness and separateness.

it was a specialized

Changes "specific" to "specialized", focusing on adaptation to a particular function or environment.

it was a limited

Replaces "specific" with "limited", implying restriction to a certain scope.

FAQs

How can I use "it was a specific" in a sentence?

Use "it was a specific" to highlight a particular detail or instance. For example, "In the meeting, "it was a specific" point about budget allocation that sparked the most discussion".

What can I say instead of "it was a specific"?

You can use alternatives like "it was a particular", "it was a definite", or "it was a precise" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was a specific" or "it was specific"?

"It was a specific" is generally more grammatically correct when you need to explicitly indicate a particular instance. "It was specific" can be used, but might lack the emphasis on singling something out.

What's the difference between "it was a specific" and "it was specific"?

The phrase ""it was a specific"" emphasizes that the item or issue being discussed is one particular instance or detail. "It was specific" suggests that something had particular details, but does not necessarily single it out.