specified

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'specified' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been determined through a specific process. For example, "The date and time of the meeting were specified in the initial contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Scottish government will have power to allow public sector operators to bid for rail franchises funded and specified by Scottish ministers.

The Guardian

Many of the Apple Watch's features were shown off during its original unveiling in September 2014, but the company had not specified a launch date or detailed pricing.

The Guardian - Tech

I'm of an age to call someone roughly other like Giggs "pop", but he more or less inhabits some highly specified area that flickers in and around hip-hop and gangsta rap and the knotty domestic deviation, grime, that added certain ragged home truths and electronically quarried sonic grit to grabby, waggish hip-hop alertness.

The Guardian - Music

Next week's Queen's speech is expected include loosely specified powers to "strengthen the role of Ofcom to take action against channels which broadcast extremist content" according to a statement released by Downing Street last week.

The Guardian

Apple has not specified the type of renewable energy it will use in the centres.

The Guardian

I haven't specified what type of crumbs to use as I tend to use leftover stale bread from my freezer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The BBC's economics editor, Robert Peston, complained Google had "cast me into oblivion" after the corporation received a notification that a blogpost he wrote in 2007 had been excluded from a search, though the name against which the search was excluded was not specified.

The Guardian - Tech

On the one hand, he specified timber "from the saw" and plaster "from the float", while on the other he was constantly on site, breathing down his workers' necks, insisting that the ends of steel beams be carefully stripped and twisted into impossibly elaborate decorative curls.

The Guardian - Arts

In one case, Shapps was visiting a synagogue for the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur (although it was not specified whether that was in 2013 or 2014), on another he was watching his son play football and on a third occasion he was on a Conservative away day.

The Guardian

The bank specified five days previously: "[T]he £23.5m we receive from Tina Green's account in Monaco (held for RC in trust) … in preparation for the purchase this weekend of the Belgo/Strada Group".

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But glitches remain: the CD-ROM cannot identify a user's typed requests if they differ at all from those that have been pre-specified you cannot, for instance, ask for the "total pre-specified youcannoty, but must specifor"populatinstanceask.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "specified" when you need to emphasize that something has been clearly and explicitly stated or defined. It adds a level of precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "specified" in casual conversation or informal writing where a simpler word like "said" or "mentioned" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "specified" is as the past participle of the verb 'specify'. It is used adjectivally to describe something that has been explicitly stated or defined. As Ludwig AI shows, it often modifies nouns, adding precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "specified" functions primarily as the past participle of the verb 'specify', indicating that something has been explicitly stated or defined. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in written English, commonly used to indicate that something has been determined through a specific process. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers, though overusing it in informal settings may sound unnatural. Remember to use "specified" when precision and clarity are crucial in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Designated

Implies an official assignment or naming of something.

Indicated

Suggests a pointing out or showing, often less formal than "specified".

Defined

Emphasizes the precise meaning or scope of something.

Stipulated

Suggests a formal agreement or condition.

Detailed

Implies providing thorough information or particulars.

Prescribed

Indicates a rule or recommendation that must be followed.

Identified

Focuses on recognizing or establishing what something is.

Determined

Suggests a firm decision or conclusion.

Elaborated

Focuses on adding more details or explanation.

Characterized

Highlights the distinct features or qualities of something.

FAQs

How to use "specified" in a sentence?

The word "specified" indicates that something has been stated explicitly and in detail. For instance, "The contract "specified" the payment terms clearly."

What can I say instead of "specified"?

You can use alternatives like "designated", "indicated", or "defined" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "specified" or "stated"?

"Specified" implies a higher level of detail and explicitness compared to "stated". Use ""specified"" when the details are important and clearly laid out.

What's the difference between "specified" and "identified"?

"Specified" means to state something precisely, while "identified" means to recognize or point something out. "Specified" includes detailed attributes while "identified" is just about recognition.