specific college

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specific college" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a particular institution of higher education that is distinct from others. For example, "She decided to apply to a specific college that offered her desired program." Alternative expressions include "particular college" and "certain college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Don't mention specific college prospects.

The New York Times

"No specific college or university was identified in the posting.

Independent

Have good scores, and for us because we are a very specific college, know why you want to be here.

The New York Times

Some tools are already available online to help families calculate the cost of attending a specific college.

The New York Times

Your People: Honey Boo Boo The Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corporation matches the contributions of full-time employees to a specific college savings plan.

The New York Times

They shouldn't be debating whether college in general is 'worth it'; they should instead be thinking about whether the specific college degree they're considering is marketable".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The university has also developed a plan linking schools in a given part of the country with specific colleges.

The New York Times

High school guidance counselors can point students and their families in the right direction; they can recommend scholarships offered by specific colleges or community groups and discuss qualifications.

The New York Times

The Vineyarders asked him "for admission to specific colleges, for the healing of specific illness — even, it is true, for specific red convertible cars".

The New Yorker

Similar to Getchabooks.com (featured in this Bucks post), this Web site was created by four recent college graduates and aims at students at specific colleges — in this case, more than 2,300 schools.

The New York Times

GetchaBooks.com Like SlugBooks, this site -- created by a senior majoring in computer science at Bard and two juniors at Tufts -- is aimed at students attending specific colleges (in this case, a network of 522 colleges).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing college options, be precise. Use "specific college" to clearly indicate you are referring to a particular institution, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "any college will do". Instead, research and articulate your reasons for choosing a "specific college" that aligns with your academic and career goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specific college" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "specific" modifies the noun "college". This phrase is used to denote a particular institution of higher education, distinguishing it from colleges in general. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "specific college" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term for referring to a particular institution of higher education. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is valuable for ensuring clarity and precision in your writing. It's commonly found in news articles, wiki entries, and scientific publications, indicating its broad applicability. When you aim for precision, consider using "specific college" to clearly distinguish a particular college from general statements about higher education. To improve your writing, aim for clarity and detail, and be precise when referring to colleges, avoiding vagueness in your college options. While various alternatives exist, such as "particular college" or "certain college", the best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particular college

Replaces "specific" with a synonym emphasizing distinctiveness.

certain college

Indicates a definite but not explicitly named college.

designated college

Suggests a college chosen for a particular purpose or group.

named college

Implies the college has been explicitly identified.

identified college

Focuses on the act of recognizing or singling out a college.

aforementioned college

Refers back to a college previously mentioned.

the college in question

Highlights the college under discussion or consideration.

that particular university

Uses "university" instead of "college" and emphasizes uniqueness.

a select college

Emphasizes the chosen or exclusive nature of the college.

the college in focus

Highlights the college that is the primary subject of attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "specific college" when you want to refer to a particular institution of higher education, for example: "She applied to a "specific college" known for its engineering program."

What's the difference between "specific college" and "any college"?

"Specific college" refers to a particular, named institution, while "any college" implies that the choice of institution is not important or predetermined. It means that the user is not considering any "specific college" at the moment.

What are some alternatives to "specific college"?

Alternatives include "particular college", "certain college", or "designated college". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to apply to a "specific college" or keep my options open?

Applying to a "specific college" shows focused interest but can limit your options. Keeping your options open allows you to explore various institutions, but may require more research and a less targeted approach.