must specify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must specify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a particular detail or requirement needs to be clearly stated or defined. Example: "In your application, you must specify your preferred start date."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In it, they must specify any of the 50 special interrogation techniques they intend to use.

The New York Times

She must specify what concerns, if any, are raised by the transaction.

The Guardian - Business

But a green-card application must specify a job and employer, and those cannot be changed.

The New York Times

They must specify what data they are collecting and how they will use it.

The New York Times

They must specify and justify the information they need, and have a legal agreement with the MHRA to act responsibly.

The Guardian

"It must specify how it plans to support ongoing (rather than episodic) scholarly work by full-time faculty".

The New York Times

Finally, they must specify a useful and appropriate prediction model.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Prevalence estimates must specify their timeframe (see page 17).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

However, the process engineer must specify the system into which the jets are incorporated.

Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers A manual of quick, accurate solutions to everyday process engineering problems

To write a history of project management we must specify the object of this "historicization".

International Journal of Project Management

FFD algorithm is an unsupervised method that the user must specify the frequency size.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must specify", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs to be specified and why it is necessary for clarity or compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "must specify" without a clear object. Always follow it with the details or parameters that need to be defined or stated explicitly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must specify" functions as a directive expression, indicating a mandatory requirement to provide specific details or information. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in formal contexts where clarity and explicitness are crucial. It conveys a sense of obligation or necessity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must specify" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys a mandatory requirement to provide explicit details. Related phrases include "is required to specify" and "needs to define", offering subtle variations in formality and emphasis. When using "must specify", ensure clarity and avoid overly general statements. Ludwig's examples confirm its versatility and importance in precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is required to specify

Emphasizes a formal obligation to provide specific details.

needs to define

Focuses on the need to clearly define or establish something.

should indicate

Suggests a recommendation or guideline to provide specific information.

is obliged to detail

Highlights a legal or contractual obligation to provide detailed information.

has to designate

Implies a need to formally assign or identify something.

is compelled to stipulate

Indicates a forced requirement to state something explicitly.

must delineate

Focuses on the need to clearly mark or define boundaries.

is bound to enumerate

Highlights the obligation to list items or details systematically.

should articulate

Suggests the need to express something clearly and thoroughly.

needs to lay out

Focuses on presenting information in a structured and organized manner.

FAQs

How to use "must specify" in a sentence?

Use "must specify" to emphasize the necessity of clearly stating or defining something. For example, "The application "must specify" the intended use of the data."

What can I say instead of "must specify"?

You can use alternatives like "is required to specify", "needs to define", or "should indicate depending on the context".

Which is correct, "must specify" or "should specify"?

"Must specify" indicates a requirement, while "should specify" suggests a recommendation. Choose based on whether the information is mandatory or optional.

What's the difference between "must specify" and "needs to specify"?

"Must specify" often implies a formal or regulatory requirement, while "needs to specify" can be used in more general contexts to indicate a necessary action.