please specify

USAGE SUMMARY

"please specify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to provide more details or information. For example, "What type of car are you looking for? Please specify."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please specify the Ward Miller Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

The New York Times

In the memo portion, please specify that the donation is for Dr. Robin Farias-Eisner's Research.

The New York Times

Please specify whether you mean for the regime or the society.

The New York Times

Also, please specify whether you wish your cake's pubic hair to be made of butter cream or marzipan.

The New Yorker

Please specify your gift to go to the computer science department, in memory of Steven A. Gold.

The New York Times

("You'd be surprised!") Greatest off the diamond thrill (if it occurred while you were hunting or fishing, please specify where and when)?

The New York Times

Q. Are there scenes or ideas in "A Separation" that were controversial in Iran? A. Please specify whether you mean for the regime or the society.

The New York Times

Please specify OPT OUT in your entry if you DO NOT wish to be informed by email of future competitions and promotions by The Independent.

Independent

Let us know in the comments section, and please specify whether your questions are for the president, his challenger, or both.

The New York Times

If yes, please specify.

Insights into Imaging

4. Other (please specify).

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "please specify", be clear about what information you need. For example, instead of "Please specify", say "Please specify the model number of your device."

Common error

Avoid using "please specify" as a standalone request without indicating what needs to be specified. Always provide context to guide the respondent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please specify" functions as an imperative, directly instructing the recipient to provide more detailed or precise information. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase for requesting clarification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please specify" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to request detailed information across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI validates, it is appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Its frequency is high, predominantly in science and news media, indicating its widespread acceptance. When using this phrase, ensure to provide context to guide the respondent effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you detail

Replaces "specify" with "detail", asking for a thorough explanation and uses a more polite form with "could you".

kindly elaborate

Uses "elaborate" instead of "specify", implying a request for more extensive detail and is more polite with "kindly".

can you clarify

Emphasizes the need for clarity, suitable when the initial information is unclear or vague.

provide particulars

Substitutes "specify" with "provide particulars", seeking specific details and using more formal language.

explain in more detail

Focuses on increasing the level of detail in an explanation, rather than pinpointing specific aspects.

indicate clearly

Focuses on ensuring that the information is easily understood and leaves no room for misinterpretation.

give further clarification

Asks for clarification instead of specific details, suitable when ambiguity needs to be resolved.

state precisely

Highlights the need for exactness and accuracy in the response.

be more explicit

Requests a more direct and unambiguous statement, useful when the original communication was too indirect.

define accurately

Emphasizes the need for a precise definition, useful when dealing with technical terms or concepts.

FAQs

How do I use "please specify" in a sentence?

Use "please specify" to ask someone to provide more detailed information. For example, "If you choose 'Other', "please specify" the type of software you are using."

What can I say instead of "please specify"?

You can use alternatives like "kindly elaborate", "could you detail", or "provide particulars" depending on the context.

Is it rude to say "please specify"?

"Please specify" is generally polite, but adding a "please" and a brief explanation can make it even more courteous. For example, "Please specify your preferred contact method."

Which is correct, "please specify" or "specify please"?

"Please specify" is the standard and grammatically correct order. "Specify please" is less common and may sound awkward in most contexts.