specifically that of

USAGE SUMMARY

"specifically that of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you are talking about one particular thing out of many connected things. For example, "The teacher discussed the various types of literature, specifically that of the Romantic period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I think there's great potential for wind energy development here, but until some of these issues, specifically that of taxation, are worked out, Wyoming won't see its full potential reached," Ms. Riley said.

The New York Times - Science

The central part of the concept is capturing movements, specifically that of consumers.

The Guardian

Sometimes the drawings suggest the influence of Cubism, specifically that of Picasso or Paul Klee.

The New York Times

The fans want heads to roll — most specifically that of Isiah Thomas.

The New York Times - Sports

Both had frustrated, belittling fathers, and both found escape and salvation in popular music, specifically that of Elvis Presley.

The New Yorker

In all Kiefer's idiosyncratic pastorals there is a link too to German Romantic painting and specifically that of Caspar David Friedrich.

The Guardian - Arts

Billboard has announced that Eminem has broken an official world record with his 2013 single Rap God, specifically that of "most words in a hit record".

The Guardian - Music

But Mr. Silman's forensic engineering work disclosed that the weight of the upper level, specifically that of the terrace off the master bedroom, in fact rests on the floor below, putting too much stress on it.

The New York Times

On Wednesday Haydn, in his "Emperor" String Quartet (Op. 76, No. 3), was more or less swept into the world of Bartok: specifically, that of his Second Quartet (Op. 17).

The New York Times - Arts

"Buridan's Ass" became an Enlightenment joke at the expense of medieval determinism, specifically that of the French cleric Jean Buridan, whose critics reduced his philosophy to a caricature: between equivalent options, there can be no choice.

The New York Times - Books

Fortuyn, in fact, was not on about race, but culture, specifically that of the Muslim Turks and Moroccans who (with people from the Dutch Antilles, Surinamese and some West Africans) make up 6% of the population.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "specifically that of" to clarify or narrow down a general topic to a particular instance or aspect. This helps to make your writing more precise and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "specifically that of" in sentences where a more direct and concise phrasing would suffice. For instance, instead of saying "The problem, specifically that of funding, needs to be addressed", consider "The funding problem needs to be addressed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specifically that of" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce a more detailed specification or clarification of a previously mentioned topic. It serves to narrow down a broader subject to a particular aspect or instance. Ludwig examples show usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "specifically that of" is a prepositional phrase used to clarify or narrow down a general subject to a particular aspect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent usage across various reputable sources, including news, scientific publications, and general reference materials. This phrase is most effective when precision is needed to avoid ambiguity. When crafting your content, be mindful of using more direct and concise alternatives in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly that of

Emphasizes a specific instance or example within a larger set, similar to "specifically that of" but may carry a slightly stronger sense of distinction.

in particular that of

Adds emphasis on the selectivity of the item, drawing attention to it within a group.

especially that of

Highlights the item as being more noteworthy or prominent compared to others in its category.

namely that of

Introduces a specific item or aspect by name, clarifying what is being referred to.

precisely that of

Indicates exactness or accuracy in identifying the particular item.

explicitly that of

Highlights that something is clearly and directly stated or identified, leaving no room for ambiguity.

primarily that of

Indicates the main or most important aspect being referred to.

chiefly that of

Similar to "primarily that of", but emphasizes the hierarchical importance or rank of the item.

mainly that of

Suggests the most substantial or significant portion of something.

solely that of

Indicates that something is exclusively related to or composed of the specified item.

FAQs

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

Use "specifically that of" to narrow down a general subject to a particular aspect or example. For instance, "The study examined various environmental factors, specifically that of air pollution."

What are some alternatives to "specifically that of"?

You can use alternatives such as "particularly that of", "in particular that of", or "especially that of" to achieve a similar effect.

Is it correct to use "specifically that of" in formal writing?

Yes, "specifically that of" is appropriate for formal writing as it provides a clear and precise way to specify a particular item or aspect within a broader context.

What is the difference between "specifically that of" and "such as"?

"Specifically that of" is used to narrow down a general category to a precise aspect, while "such as" introduces examples. For example, use "specifically that of" to clarify which part of a larger issue you're discussing, and "such as" to list examples that illustrate a point.