keep it specific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep it specific" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to provide detailed and precise information rather than vague or general statements. Example: "When writing your report, please keep it specific to the project's objectives and outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"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

Keep it specific - for example, gaining 100 new page "Likes" a month - and check in regularly to ensure your money is being spent wisely.

Forbes

Keep it specific.

WikiHow

Let everyone know why you're marrying this amazing woman and keep it specific rather than overly romantic (you don't want to sound too corny).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I want to try to keep it as specific as possible". But Streten listens to and wants to write just about every kind of music, just not under Flume's name.

HuffPost

Terri Brownlee, nutrition director of the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center, says the most successful dieters do not swear off a whole food category, such as sugar-sweetened desserts, though they may swear off a particular food, such as ice cream: "They keep it as specific as possible". The American Diabetes Assn.

Los Angeles Times

But wall off the same data, and keep it linked to specific people's identities – which is what happens with customer relationship management operations of big companies – and now the same data has commercial value.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're going to keep it very junkie-specific," said Chuck Todd, editor of Hotline, on the National Journal Web site.

The New York Times

Keep it simple and be specific.

Forbes

Keep it short, simple, and specific.

HuffPost

All that is needed is a mechanism to extract the P-TEFb and keep it on task at specific genes, and we have demonstrated here that such a mechanism exists.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep it specific", ensure you're asking for detailed information relevant to the topic at hand, not just any details.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "keep it specific" for a license to add every possible detail; ensure all information provided is directly relevant and contributes to clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it specific" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to maintain a focus on detailed and precise information rather than generalities. As Ludwig AI suggests, this directive is commonly used to ensure clarity and relevance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep it specific" is an imperative phrase used to advise or instruct someone to maintain focus on detailed and precise information. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though it appears more frequently in wiki articles, news reports, and scientific literature than in formal business settings. To ensure effective communication, remember to balance specificity with relevance, avoiding the inclusion of extraneous details. Alternatives like "be precise" or "focus on specifics" can be used for a more formal tone. The key is to provide enough detail to ensure clarity without overloading the audience with irrelevant information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus on specifics

Highlights the act of focusing on specifics, without the imperative component of "keep it".

be precise

Focuses solely on the act of being exact, omitting the "keep it" component.

be explicit

Highlights the act of being very clear and direct, without the imperative component of "keep it".

stick to the facts

Emphasizes accuracy, while "keep it specific" asks for detail.

stay focused

Emphasizes maintaining concentration, rather than providing detailed information.

concentrate on the details

Highlights the act of concentrating on details, without the imperative component of "keep it".

provide details

Highlights the action of giving details, without the directive aspect of "keep it".

make it clear

Focuses on clarity, not necessarily on providing details.

elaborate further

Suggests expansion on existing information, rather than maintaining specificity.

get to the point

Urges conciseness, the opposite of detailed elaboration implied by "keep it specific".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "keep it specific" in a professional context?

In a professional setting, you can use phrases like "be precise", "focus on specifics", or "provide detailed information" to convey the same message with a more formal tone.

Is it always necessary to "keep it specific" in communication?

No, sometimes a general overview is more appropriate. "Keep it specific" is most useful when detailed understanding or action is required.

What's the difference between "keep it specific" and "be concise"?

"Keep it specific" asks for detail, while being concise asks for brevity. They address different aspects of communication.

When is it appropriate to use "keep it general" instead of "keep it specific"?

Use "keep it general" when providing an overview or summary, or when the audience doesn't require in-depth knowledge. "Keep it specific" is better when detailed understanding is important.