simply to specify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply to specify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to clarify or define something in a straightforward manner. Example: "The purpose of this document is simply to specify the requirements for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Our aim was simply to specify the plausible lower and upper limits of future fertility changes in the first half of the 21st century.

European Journal of Population

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He swerves the question and simply refuses to specify what he learnt about being prime minister from his ringside seat for the tormented premiership of Gordon Brown.

The Guardian

Similarly, applications that need to subscribe to channels simply have to specify the tags they are interested in, and the framework does the rest.

Journal of Systems Architecture

To use it, the user simply has to specify an ab1 file for analysis from any location in the phone memory or from cloud storage like Dropbox.

Bioinformatics

The language we contemplate is syntactically easy to specify: simply take Boolean operations over assessments, and allow a subformula in an assessment to be itself any well-formed formula of the language.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Simply select from menu options to specify species, tissue type, and staining method, and the Dissect-O-Matic will take it from there!

Science Magazine

The main limitations recorded to date are simply the person hours required to specify the standards and ontologies to be used and to actually curate studies.

Bioinformatics

While the implementation of our methods use the signaling Petri net model discussed in an earlier section of this paper, we provide a simpler and more convenient representation of the network to the user which omits the internal topology of the transitions and allows the user to specify interactions simply as either activating or inhibiting.

BMC Systems Biology

An easy way to do this is to simply specify on the application that allowing you to check potential employees' driving records is a condition of employment.

WikiHow

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TechCrunch

It features a host of next generation features such as Voice Destination Entry, allowing drivers to specify their destination by simply speaking the address, and Landmark View 3D, which brings a new dimension to the map with hundreds of richly-textured 3D landmarks across the U.S. and Canada.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply to specify" when you want to emphasize the ease and directness of the specification process. It's most effective when contrasting with a more complex or convoluted approach.

Common error

Avoid using "simply to specify" when the specification process is actually quite intricate or requires substantial detail. Doing so can mislead the reader and undermine the clarity you're aiming for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply to specify" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or goal behind an action. As per Ludwig, it's used to introduce a straightforward explanation or instruction. It clarifies the intent with an emphasis on the ease of specification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply to specify" is a phrase used to indicate a straightforward and uncomplicated process of defining or outlining something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and effectively conveys clarity and ease. It appears most commonly in scientific and general contexts, lending itself well to explanations that aim to be precise yet accessible. While "simply to specify" is a valid and useful phrase, ensure its appropriateness by considering alternatives such as "just to clarify" or "merely to define", especially when the context is complex or requires detailed precision. Using "simply to specify" appropriately will enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely to define

Focuses on the act of definition as the primary action, minimizing any other implied actions.

just to clarify

Emphasizes the act of making something clearer or easier to understand.

only to stipulate

Implies a more formal and precise setting of conditions or agreements.

plainly to state

Highlights the straightforward and unambiguous nature of the declaration.

simply to indicate

Focuses on pointing something out without needing to go into detail.

just to lay out

Implies presenting information clearly and methodically.

merely to set forth

A more formal way of saying "to present" or "to describe."

only to delineate

Emphasizes defining the boundaries or limits of something.

purely to designate

Implies the act of assigning a name or identifier to something.

expressly to mention

Highlights the direct and explicit nature of the mentioning.

FAQs

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

You can use "simply to specify" to introduce a straightforward explanation or requirement. For example, "The aim is "simply to specify" the necessary conditions for the experiment."

What does "simply to specify" mean?

"Simply to specify" means to define or state something in a clear, easy and uncomplicated way. It suggests that the specification process is straightforward and requires minimal effort.

What are some alternatives to "simply to specify"?

Alternatives include "merely to define", "just to clarify", or "plainly to state", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "simply to specify"?

Yes, it would be inappropriate to use "simply to specify" if the situation is complex and nuanced, and the specification is not actually simple. In such cases, it could be misleading.