specific criteria

USAGE SUMMARY

'specific criteria' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to specific requirements that are used to measure or evaluate something. For example: "The selection committee will use specific criteria to determine who will receive the grant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some states have made specific criteria their law.

The New York Times

§ 228.6 Specific criteria for site selection.

Cornell University

The United States Ski and Snowboard Association has specific criteria for selecting the team.

The New York Times

Students should act as "experts" in their specific criteria in the discussion.

The New York Times

The Division I football oversight committee asked for recommendations for specific criteria from its membership subcommittee.

The New York Times - Sports

Without any specific criteria, the choice of awardees and fields was open to interpretation.

The New Yorker

"It's a spectacular thing if it fits three specific criteria: Does it take you somewhere?

The New York Times

"That inspector will have specific criteria based on intelligence reports," he said.

The New York Times

That agency's grant panels do not use culturally specific criteria when awarding money.

The New York Times - Arts

(Canada awards work visas using specific criteria, such as language skills, education, and professional experience).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

14: Swimmers with intellectual impairment who also meet the sport-specific criteria compete in this class.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specific criteria", ensure that the criteria are clearly defined and measurable to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating "specific criteria" without actually providing details. Ensure you list or explain the criteria being used, otherwise, the phrase becomes meaningless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specific criteria" functions as a noun phrase, where 'specific' modifies the noun 'criteria', indicating particular and well-defined requirements or standards. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "specific criteria" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to emphasize the detailed requirements or standards applied in various contexts. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage. It appears most commonly in news, academic, and scientific domains, indicating its widespread applicability. When employing this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the criteria are clearly defined and measurable to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "precise standards" or "detailed requirements" can be used to add nuance, as necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Precise standards

Emphasizes the exactness and accuracy of the standards.

Detailed requirements

Highlights the level of detail expected in the requirements.

Exact specifications

Focuses on the accuracy and precision of the specifications.

Particular guidelines

Stresses that guidelines are not generic but tailored to a specific situation.

Definitive benchmarks

Implies clear and unambiguous benchmarks used for evaluation.

Clear conditions

Highlights the clarity and unambiguity of the conditions.

Stringent prerequisites

Emphasizes the strictness and importance of the prerequisites.

Explicit parameters

Focuses on the clarity and explicitness of the parameters.

Tailored metrics

Indicates that metrics are customized for a specific purpose.

Designated indicators

Highlights that the indicators are officially chosen and assigned.

FAQs

How do you use "specific criteria" in a sentence?

You can use "specific criteria" to highlight detailed requirements or standards, as in, "The selection committee will use "specific criteria" to evaluate each application".

What are some alternatives to "specific criteria"?

Alternatives include "precise standards", "detailed requirements", or "exact specifications" depending on the context.

What makes criteria "specific"?

For criteria to be considered "specific", they must be clearly defined, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Is it redundant to say "very specific criteria"?

While "specific" already implies detail, using "very specific criteria" can emphasize an even greater level of detail or precision if needed, though it's often unnecessary.