less specific on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less specific on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or detail that is not clearly defined or is more general in nature. Example: "The report was less specific on the financial projections than we had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet aside from the after-school program, Mr. Ferrer was distinctly less specific on his plans for paying for the other programs he is proposing.

The New York Times

At the end of the auction process last month, O2 said it anticipated a "summer 4G launch", while Vodafone was less specific on its rollout schedule, saying only that it would launch a 4G network "later this year".

TechCrunch

If Ryan had a specific, albeit extreme, plan on the spending side of the budget, he was much less specific on the tax side.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I can, however, give you some slightly less specific advice on sorting out your work placement.

The Guardian - Money

Some of these factors are highly specific to endothelial cells, such as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), whereas others such as metalloproteinases are much less specific, acting on a broader range of cells [ 17].

Bioscience Reports

Theoretically, the most straightforward approach is the covalent modification of structures on the virus surface by means of a directed, controlled chemical reaction that targets more or less specific compounds on the virus surface.

BioMed Research International

We also decided to include 4 genes for comparison that might be expected to have a less specific outcome on neural activity and behavior than those targeting neurotransmitter synthesis and receptor function (BDNF, NURR-1, FADS2, and PNMT: see discussion).

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Furthermore, STX and VTD may have less specific effects on prokaryotic cells than those reported in the literature for eukaryotic sodium fluxes, or the target of these two agents on cyanobacterial cells may be a binding protein involved in both Na+ and K+ homeostasis.

Biological Procedures Online

Less specific was detail on where this content might be shared, or whether most users would really be that bothered.

TechCrunch

When plasma is combined, cells respond to free TNF-α and not to inactive TNF-α bound to specific soluble receptors and to other less specific binding sites on proteins.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The pharmacological agents used to implicate these pathways may interact specifically with their proposed target, but they may also have less specific effects such as on mitochondrial respiratory chain components (see Section 9.1) to produce a modest increase in ROS levels that stimulate signalling pathways rather than cause damage.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less specific on", ensure the context makes it clear what the subject is being unspecific about. For example, "The report was "less specific on" the financial projections."

Common error

Avoid using "less specific on" when complete clarity is essential. In situations requiring precision, opt for more detailed and explicit language.

Linguistic Context

Adjective phrase functioning as a descriptive modifier, indicating a lack of detailed information regarding a particular subject. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is usable in written English for describing something that lacks clear definition. The examples show its application in contexts related to plans, schedules, and tax policies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less specific on" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for indicating a lack of detail or precision regarding a particular topic. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable in written English. Alternative phrases like ""more vague about"" or ""less detailed regarding"" can be used for variety. When using the phrase, ensure that the context is clear and the lack of specificity is intentional, avoiding overuse in situations demanding precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more unspecific about

Direct synonym, emphasizing a lack of defined details.

less precise about

Focuses on the lack of exactness or accuracy in the information given.

less detailed regarding

Highlights a lack of thoroughness in the information provided, focusing on the absence of specific details.

less clear on

Implies a lack of understanding or explicitness, suggesting the topic is not well-defined.

less definite concerning

Emphasizes the lack of a firm or clear statement about something.

more vague about

Indicates a lack of clarity or detail, differing slightly in that "vague" suggests intentional ambiguity.

less concrete on

Indicates a lack of tangible or practical details related to the subject.

less explicit about

Highlights a lack of directness or openness in addressing the subject.

more general concerning

Emphasizes a broader scope with fewer specifics, suggesting a wider overview rather than precise information.

more ambiguous regarding

Suggests the presence of multiple interpretations or uncertainty surrounding the topic.

FAQs

What does "less specific on" mean?

The phrase "less specific on" means lacking detailed or precise information about a particular topic. It suggests a general overview without concrete details.

How can I use "less specific on" in a sentence?

You can use "less specific on" to indicate that someone or something is providing information that lacks detail, such as, "The candidate was "more vague about" their economic policy."

What are some alternatives to "less specific on"?

Alternatives to "less specific on" include "more vague about", "less detailed regarding", or "more general concerning", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "less specific on"?

It's appropriate to use "less specific on" when you want to point out that someone is not providing enough details or is being intentionally vague about a topic. However, ensure that your writing does not become "more ambiguous regarding" the subject.