spec out

USAGE SUMMARY

'spec out' is not correct or usable in written English.
It is an informal way of saying "specify" or "specifying". For example, "Can we spec out the details of the project in our meeting today?".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

It is no longer acceptable to delay a major company initiative for months so the IT department can spec out, purchase, test, set-up, and provision new systems.

The Guardian

For the Tragars, that meant surfing one of the many car sites where consumers can "spec out" a vehicle equipped exactly the way they want, then find a dealer near their home.That was the easy part.

The Economist

Crowdspring, an online ad agency, gives users the ability to spec out design tasks (say, a brand treatment, a logo, or a creative ad execution), post structured RFPs online, and await "bids" on the work.

MIT Technology Review

Our group were challenged to spec out a "community website for Argentinians about urban planning" which was challenging to say the least, and we ended up arguing over how much outsourcing we'd do and ended up with $1.9m left over at the end.

The Guardian

Then a contractor is hired to spec out those designs.

TechCrunch

The idea being the user gets to spec out their own smartwatch requirements.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

There aren't very many specs out, but it does have a black and white gloss finish with a 2-channel stereo.

TechCrunch

In this paper, we propose a novel approach that incorporates the interactions among spec-out events using spec-out event network analysis.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

However, the downside with this approach is that it ignores interactions among spec-out events, leading to each spec-out event being independently administrated.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

A common approach is to compute correlation between individual spec-out events and defect ratios.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

We construct a weighted directed graph in which a spec-out event is represented as a node, a precedence relation between events as a directed edge, and the wafer defect ratio corresponding to the relation as an edge weight.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "spec out" is commonly used in informal contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "specify", "define", or "detail" in professional or academic writing to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "spec out" in formal documents or presentations. Opt for precise verbs like "specify" or "define" to ensure your writing is perceived as professional and accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spec out" functions as a phrasal verb. While commonly used, it serves the purpose of detailing or specifying requirements, designs, or features. Ludwig AI indicates that is not correct or usable in written English and suggests using a more formal alternative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spec out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to specify or detail something. Ludwig AI indicates that is an informal term and is not the correct form for the english language. While frequently found in news and media, science, and business contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect for formal writing. Therefore, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives like "specify", "define", or "detail" in professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specify

This alternative offers a direct and formal replacement, focusing on clearly defining requirements.

define

This alternative is similar to 'specify' but emphasizes setting boundaries or limits.

determine

This alternative emphasizes the act of finding out or establishing something definitively.

detail

This alternative emphasizes providing comprehensive information about something.

stipulate

This alternative suggests setting down specific conditions or requirements, often in a formal agreement.

design

This alternative highlights the planning and creation aspect of defining something.

outline

This alternative implies providing a summary of the main features or points.

lay out

This alternative suggests presenting information clearly and systematically.

set out

This alternative implies defining a plan or course of action.

itemize

This alternative refers to presenting things as a list.

FAQs

What does "spec out" mean?

"Spec out" is an informal term that generally means to specify, define, or detail something. It's often used when discussing requirements or designs.

What can I say instead of "spec out"?

You can use alternatives like "specify", "define", or "detail" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "spec out" in formal writing?

No, "spec out" is considered informal. It is better to use more formal alternatives like "specify" in formal writing.

How can I use "specify" in a sentence instead of "spec out"?

Instead of saying "Let's spec out the requirements", you can say "Let's specify the requirements".