somebody specific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somebody specific" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refer to a particular person rather than someone in general. Example: "I need somebody specific to handle this project, someone with experience in marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You could start with somebody specific and modify.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The mood is definitely ripe for blaming somebody or something specific: the vaguer suggestion that the "chill economic winds" of the global economy are responsible for all the anxieties is endorsed by only 16%.

The Guardian

Geoencryption encodes a stream of data in such a way that it is only intelligible to somebody in a specific location; the output from a GPS device is used to unscramble the data.

The Economist

Ben-David, the owner of an eyewear shop who lived in a West Bank settlement called Geva Binyamin, told the police that he and two friends were so enraged by the murder of the three Israelis that on the day of the funeral they wanted to "harass an Arab or vandalize property or beat somebody up, nothing specific".

The New Yorker

As the services keep track of what it costs to train somebody in a specific skill, the price tag, we are told, can be calculated simply by multiplying the number of service members ejected by the cost of training a replacement.

The New York Times

Citizens Advice also has help on financial affairs when somebody dies, and specific information on redirecting post of a late family member.

BBC

There they will succeed or openly fail, but in either case they will look specific, concrete — somebody's best shot, or just somebody's shot, which is what live performance should be.

The New Yorker

The initiative also gives managers the chance to understand the specific issues somebody may have in Civvy Street.

The Guardian

"We had somebody who identified a specific location for firebombing with easily obtainable means," said Paul J. Browne, chief spokesman for the New York Police Department.

The New York Times

"I think it's so hard to relate to the death of close to 3, 000 people all at once but when you hear of a specific story about somebody losing a brother or somebody losing a daughter, a parent, we can relate to that.

Huffington Post

Somebody might not understand one specific word, but they'll probably understand it in context and they certainly can, if they're intrigued, look it up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somebody specific" when you want to emphasize that you're referring to one particular person and not just anyone in general. For example, "I need "somebody specific" with experience in project management."

Common error

Avoid using "somebody specific" when you haven't clearly defined the necessary qualities or criteria, because this can lead to confusion or inappropriate selection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somebody specific" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying "somebody" to indicate a particular, identifiable person rather than anyone in general. As Ludwig AI suggests, it emphasizes that a general entity, "somebody", needs to be particularized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somebody specific" is a phrase used to denote a particular, identifiable individual, setting them apart from a general group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and useful in written English. The phrase is seen frequently in news, science, and business contexts, implying a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember its purpose is to bring clarity and precision to your statements. While "somebody specific" is commonly used, alternatives such as "a particular individual" or "a certain person" can add nuance depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular individual

Replaces "somebody" with "individual" and "specific" with "particular", maintaining the emphasis on a single, defined person.

a certain person

Uses "certain" to highlight the definiteness of the person in question, instead of emphasizing their uniqueness.

a designated individual

Emphasizes the act of selecting or assigning a particular person for a role or task.

a named person

Focuses on the person being identified by name, adding a layer of formal identification.

a defined person

Stresses that the person meets certain requirements or characteristics, being clearly outlined.

a precise individual

Highlights the exactness and accuracy with which the person is identified or described.

the individual in question

Adds a layer of formality, often used when referring back to someone previously mentioned.

the person concerned

Indicates a direct connection to a particular situation or matter, highlighting relevance.

a targeted person

Suggests a deliberate selection or focus on a specific person, often for a specific purpose.

an exact person

Focuses on the accuracy and precision with which the person has been identified.

FAQs

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

Use "somebody specific" when you want to refer to a particular, identifiable person, not just anyone. Example: "We need "somebody specific" to lead this project, someone with experience in international relations."

What's a more formal alternative to "somebody specific"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "a particular individual" or "a designated person", especially in professional or academic contexts.

Is it redundant to say 'a specific specific person' instead of "somebody specific"?

Yes, saying 'a specific specific person' is typically redundant. "Somebody specific" already implies a particular, identifiable individual. Using "somebody specific" is more concise and grammatically sound.

Can "somebody specific" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, "somebody specific" can be used in negative contexts to indicate that a particular person is being avoided or blamed. For example: "The blame fell on "somebody specific" after the project failed."