specifically of

USAGE SUMMARY

"specifically of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as a way to introduce a particular subset of something that has already been mentioned. For example, "I enjoy many types of music, specifically of the jazz genre."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What are the benefits, specifically, of that?

The New York Times

What, specifically, of his own performance though?

Independent

Specifically, of course, Lenny Henry.

The Guardian

He accused Ms. Pirro specifically of fueling sensational media coverage.

The New York Times

"I condemn it," he replied, speaking specifically of the memorandum.

The New York Times

He declined to speak specifically of Gregg's candidacy.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not thinking specifically of such revolutionary funsters as Duchamp and Laurence Sterne.

The Guardian - Arts

I was thinking specifically of climate change, but there, Packham says, the policy has changed.

The Guardian

Longworth describes the Manson story as "very, very specifically of its time".

The Guardian

Way too much music, specifically of the "Wyndham Hill meets Hare Krishna" variety.

The New York Times

The cautionary aspect of Murray's experience isn't one of ideas but specifically of experience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "specifically of" to clarify or narrow down a broader subject, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "specifically of" when the specification is already implied or obvious. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive and less concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specifically of" functions as a prepositional phrase that serves to introduce a more detailed or precise aspect of a general subject. Ludwig provides several examples showing its use in narrowing down topics in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "specifically of" serves to narrow down a general topic to a particular aspect. It is considered grammatically correct and is very common in both News & Media and Science, according to Ludwig. While effective for adding clarity, overuse can lead to redundancy. Alternatives such as "particularly regarding" can be used for variety. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, highlighting its role in precision and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly regarding

Emphasizes a focused consideration, shifting from general inclusion to targeted relevance.

especially concerning

Highlights a notable aspect, indicating significance beyond mere specification.

in particular to

Directs attention to a specific subject, altering the sentence structure to spotlight the item of interest.

with respect to

Introduces a formal consideration, changing the tone to a more analytical approach.

concentrating on

Indicates a narrowed focus, replacing specification with active concentration.

chiefly in terms of

Signifies a primary viewpoint, modifying the context to emphasize a specific perspective.

notably with regard to

Stresses importance, substituting direct specification with highlighted noteworthiness.

pointed at

Denotes a direct target, shifting from general to precise aim.

precisely regarding

Adds emphasis on exactness, amplifying the accuracy of the focus.

expressly with reference to

Highlights explicit mention, framing specification within a context of direct referencing.

FAQs

How can I use "specifically of" in a sentence?

Use "specifically of" to narrow down a general topic to a particular aspect. For example, "I enjoy different genres of music, specifically of jazz."

What phrases are similar to "specifically of"?

Alternatives include "particularly regarding", "especially concerning", or "in particular to".

Is it always necessary to use "specifically of"?

No, it's not always necessary. Use it when you need to clearly emphasize a particular subset or aspect of a broader topic. Avoid using it if the context already makes the specification clear.

What is the difference between "specifically of" and "especially of"?

"Specifically of" is used to narrow a topic, while "especially of" highlights something noteworthy within a broader category. They are similar, but not always interchangeable.