just to specify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'just to specify' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to provide additional information. For example: "I'm not sure if I'm going to the party tonight, just to specify."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In a simple continuous space, you'd need to write out infinitely many decimal places just to specify the exact distance between two random points, but physics titan John Wheeler showed that quantum effects probably make any digits after the 35th decimal place meaningless, because our whole classical notion of space breaks down on smaller scales, perhaps being replaced by a strange foamy structure.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

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TechCrunch

However, this particular sort of "interest relativity" (and associated phenomena having to do with the role of contrastive focus in the characterization of explananda, which really just serve to specify more exactly which particular explananda we want explained) seems something that can be readily acknowledged by traditional theories[27].

SEP

That trick enables Alice to get out exactly two bits of information the total spin and its projection along one axis and that's just enough information to specify the latitude and longitude of quantum state of one particle.

Science Magazine

Just be sure to specify that any picture they choose needs to fit inside the bottle cap.

WikiHow

Rogge declined to specify just what exactly needed to be clarified, and it seems that there is probably more to this misunderstanding than a language problem.

The New Yorker

(Portman has declined to specify just what it was that happened).

The New York Times - Magazine

Not so, the mayor said, before going on to specify just how he likes to take his meat.

The New York Times

The Republicans declined to specify just what legal steps they might take to combat Mr. Gore's planned contests of the results.

The New York Times

Private notebooks of all sizes, some carried about for quick sketches and on-the-spot observations, others used for long-term, exacting studies in geology, botany, and human anatomy, to specify just a few of the areas in which he posed fundamental questions, and reached answers that were often hundreds of years ahead of his time.

The New Yorker

But flattening them out makes the individual fascicles accessible, like the parallel wires in old computer cables, says Dr Tyler.And by controlling the intensity and duration of the electrical pulses applied, it is possible to specify just how much of the tissue is contracted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just to specify" when you want to add a clarifying detail or provide more precise information without changing the overall topic. It's useful when you want to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "just to specify" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive and hesitant. Try to vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "to clarify" or "to be more precise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just to specify" functions as a transitional phrase or a discourse marker. It introduces additional information or clarification to a previous statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It allows for adding detail in a conversational manner.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just to specify" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce clarifying details or additional information. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to be mindful of its frequency and register, opting for more formal alternatives in certain contexts. As examples in Ludwig demonstrate, it appears across various categories, ranging from news to science, though it remains a less frequent expression. Remember to use it purposefully to enhance clarity without adding unnecessary verbosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply to clarify

Replaces 'specify' with 'clarify', implying a simplification in the explanation.

merely to indicate

Substitutes 'specify' with 'indicate', suggesting a less detailed or precise explanation.

solely to define

Replaces 'just' with 'solely' and 'specify' with 'define', emphasizing the exclusivity of the definition.

only to stipulate

Uses 'stipulate' instead of 'specify', implying a formal or legal condition.

purely to designate

Replaces 'specify' with 'designate', focusing on the act of assigning or naming.

specifically to mention

Adds emphasis by using "specifically" and softening the tone with "mention" instead of "specify".

particularly to note

Focuses on highlighting a particular detail using "particularly" and "note".

precisely to detail

Emphasizes accuracy and thoroughness with "precisely" and "detail".

largely to determine

Shifts the focus towards a larger purpose using "largely" and the act of "determine".

mainly to elucidate

Replaces 'specify' with 'elucidate', suggesting a more in-depth explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "just to specify" in a sentence?

Use "just to specify" when you want to provide a more precise or detailed explanation following a general statement. For example, "I enjoy outdoor activities, just to specify, hiking and kayaking are my favorites."

What's a good alternative to "just to specify"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "to clarify", "for clarification", or "to be more precise" instead of "just to specify".

Is it redundant to use "just" and "specify" together?

While "specify" inherently implies precision, "just" in "just to specify" softens the tone and indicates that the speaker is adding a detail without significantly altering the main point. It's not necessarily redundant, but consider if the "just" adds value to your sentence.

Can "just to specify" be used in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "just to specify" is more common in informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "for the sake of clarity" or "to provide further details".