precisely to specify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precisely to specify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize the exactness or clarity of a specification or description. Example: "The purpose of this document is precisely to specify the requirements for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

What science allows us to do is to move beyond such levels of generality and more precisely to specify the relationships among organisms.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

However, this clinical diagnosis with a face-to-face interview is the gold standard and requires clinical experience for the physician, and enough time to question patients precisely, to specify ICHD-II criteriandand to specify the diagnosis of primary headache, more frequently migraine, which has been the basis for the development of the MOH.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A theory of health is needed precisely to specify or evaluate rights and obligations related to health where local circumstances conflict with or fall well below what are considered to be reasonable circumstances.

Bioethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Eikenberry declined to specify precisely what constituted "excessive" use.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Blewitt declined to specify precisely what had been missing until recently, saying, "I can't be specific about what particular gap was closed".

The New York Times

He declined to specify precisely where he drew the line between provocative and "outlandish," or whether Derbyshire had crossed it before.

The New Yorker

In the early days of computing, punch cards, written in the Job Control Language (JCL), were used to specify precisely which system resources a job would need and when the operating system should assign them to the job.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But is it well past time for the United States government to specify, precisely, its views on whom it thinks it can kill in the struggle against Al Qaeda and other terrorist forces?

The New York Times

The officials, who declined to specify precisely how many troops might be needed, emphasized that the plans were the kind of worst-case contingency options that the Pentagon routinely draws up in crises, and that no American deployments were imminent.

The New York Times

Spotting the rot Sticky fingers And the winners were… The devil in the details Cities on the ocean Getting past the guards Resistance is futile Reinventing the wheel Seer of the mirror world ReprintsPrevious attempts to build a computerised pathologist of this sort required the designers to specify precisely which characteristics of the samples being examined were most important.

The Economist

Even so, agents may be unable to specify precisely how much more strongly the available plausibility arguments support a hypothesis over an alternative; so prior probability ratios for hypotheses may be vague.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "precisely to specify", ensure that the context requires a high degree of accuracy and clarity. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or pedantic.

Common error

Avoid using "precisely to specify" in informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to clarify" or "to define" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precisely to specify" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It clarifies the intent behind an action, emphasizing the need for accuracy and detail. Ludwig shows examples where it's used to highlight the careful outlining of criteria or relationships.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "precisely to specify" is grammatically correct, as supported by Ludwig AI, and functions as an infinitive phrase expressing the purpose of defining something with great accuracy. While relatively rare in usage, it is commonly found in formal and scientific contexts where precision is essential. When writing, consider the tone and audience to determine if a simpler alternative might be more appropriate. Key alternatives include "define accurately" and "clearly stipulate". Remember to use "precisely to specify" to achieve a high degree of exactness when you want no room for ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to define accurately

Replaces "precisely to specify" with a focus on accuracy in definition.

to delineate sharply

Emphasizes the clarity and distinctness of the specification.

to clearly stipulate

Highlights the act of laying down explicit conditions or terms.

to pinpoint exactly

Focuses on identifying something with great accuracy.

to identify conclusively

Highlights the definitive nature of the identification.

to articulate distinctly

Emphasizes the clarity and expressiveness of the articulation.

to spell out explicitly

Focuses on making something very clear and detailed, leaving no room for ambiguity.

to detail meticulously

Highlights the thoroughness and attention to detail in the specification.

to lay down precisely

Focuses on setting something out in a very exact and accurate manner.

to determine exactly

Emphasizes the act of finding out something with precision.

FAQs

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

Use "precisely to specify" when you want to emphasize the need for exactness in outlining something. For instance, "The manual aims "precisely to specify" the steps for installation".

What are some alternatives to "precisely to specify"?

You can use alternatives such as "define accurately", "clearly stipulate", or "spell out explicitly" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "precisely specify" or "precisely to specify"?

"Precisely specify" is more direct and often preferred. "Precisely to specify" includes an infinitive, which can be useful in certain sentence structures to indicate purpose or intention.

When should I use "precisely to specify" instead of "specifically define"?

Use "precisely to specify" when the emphasis is on the act of making something exact and detailed. "Specifically define" is suitable when the focus is on providing a clear and unambiguous definition.