rather specific

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather specific" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is quite specific or detailed. For example, "The instructions you gave me were rather specific, which helped me understand exactly what to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their answer is rather specific.

The New York Times - Magazine

Maybe your 3-year-old comes home one day with a rather specific question about pro wrestling.

The New York Times - Magazine

More than 60 people inquire about the program before each session but many do not fit its rather specific characteristics.

The New York Times

Thanks to her, American women from farm wives to factory girls to urban matrons all had the same, rather specific vision of the ideal domestic life.

The New York Times

The scientists say that bloodworms' rather specific use of copper suggests that the metal plays more roles than its structural one.

The New York Times - Science

It's hard to see the same artist who recorded a rather specific female body in 'Cleopatra' resorting to such generalized inaccuracies in later paintings".

The New York Times - Arts

Rather, specific classes of deposit tend to be concentrated in particular areas or regions called metallogenic provinces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It listed a series of rather specific demands: "Compensation should be limited by law in all publicly held companies.

The Economist

In addition, an optimum in the Si/Al ratio and in the calcination temperature were observed, indicating that this core requires a rather specific coordination environment.

Catalysis Today

The chromatin landscape of any given tissue macrophage is a rather specific fingerprint of these cells, which is directly linked to tissue-specific functions of these cells.

Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology

They must give paramount consideration to the human patients and their comfort; they must yield not simply spatial data about the body but rather specific medical information.

ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather specific" when you want to indicate a noticeable degree of detail or precision, but avoid being overly formal or technical. It strikes a balance between being informative and remaining accessible.

Common error

While "rather specific" is versatile, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem less authoritative. Opt for stronger, more precise synonyms like "highly detailed" or "particularly defined" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather specific" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or concept to indicate a particular degree of detail or precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather specific" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions to emphasize detail or precision. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is considered acceptable and appears frequently in varied contexts, including science, news and media, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best used in situations where you want to strike a balance between informativeness and accessibility. For more formal writing, consider synonyms like "highly detailed" or "particularly defined".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very detailed

Emphasizes the level of detail provided, instead of the degree of specificity.

highly particular

Focuses on the distinctiveness and precision of the information.

quite precise

Highlights the accuracy and exactness of the information.

remarkably exact

Stresses the exceptional accuracy and precision.

fairly concrete

Indicates a tangible and definite quality, moving away from abstraction.

somewhat narrow

Emphasizes the limited scope or focus of the information.

relatively defined

Highlights the clarity and distinctness of the information.

especially tailored

Focuses on the customization and adaptation of the information.

distinctly clear

Emphasizes the clarity and unambiguity of the information.

considerably explicit

Highlights the overt and unambiguous nature of the information.

FAQs

How can I use "rather specific" in a sentence?

You can use "rather specific" to describe something that is quite detailed or precise. For example: "The instructions were "rather specific", leaving no room for misinterpretation."

What are some alternatives to saying "rather specific"?

Alternatives include "very detailed", "highly particular", or "quite precise" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "specific" or "rather specific"?

Using "rather specific" adds a degree of emphasis. If you want to highlight that something is notably detailed, "rather specific" is appropriate. Otherwise, "specific" is sufficient.

In what situations is "rather specific" most appropriate?

"Rather specific" works well in situations where you want to acknowledge that something is more detailed than usual, but without being overly formal or technical. It's suitable for general explanations and descriptions.