specifies with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specifies with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in many contexts.
It could be used when indicating the details or parameters that are being defined or clarified in relation to something else. Example: "The document specifies with great detail the requirements for the project."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

About 80percentt of the disbursements would be in cash, the agreement specifies, with the remaining 20percentt in the form of discount certificates to offset the price of seller's commissions and certain other charges.

The New York Times

The new book promises to make last-minute cooking easy by meshing the resources of a well-stocked pantry (whose contents Ms. Hay specifies) with readily available fresh ingredients.

The New York Times - Food

Since often geometry is insufficient to generate specific matches, ETA also specifies, with an SVM, that the matched sites should themselves be composed of functionally important (top-ranked) residues.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Zirkelbach said the industry was still at the bargaining table, although he did not specify with whom.

The New York Times

Internal Revenue Service standards for charities do not specify with any precision minimum public hours for a tax-exempt institution.

The New York Times - Arts

The program also included a fine rendition of the Sonata in E minor (Op. 90), played, as the composer specified, "with liveliness and with feeling and expression throughout".

The New York Times - Arts

Software needed to be specified with every eventuality considered, to within an inch of it's life, because future releases wouldn't be for months or years.

The Guardian

As well as plenty of room, the Countryman can be specified with an "All 4" four-wheel drive system.

Independent

It's a character who tries to coach himself into being "outstanding" — at what is never specified — with jargon he's apparently picked up from infomercial pitchmen.

The New York Times - Arts

A hedonic price model is specified with GIS measures.

Ecological Economics

The basis functions are specified with α = (m,n,G).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specifies with", ensure that the "with" is followed by a clear and direct description of what is being used to specify something. For example, "The contract specifies with great detail the payment schedule."

Common error

Avoid using "specifies with" in overly complex sentences where the meaning becomes convoluted. Simpler phrasing, such as "specifies using" or "clearly defines", can often improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specifies with" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of providing specific details or requirements, often involving a particular method or tool. According to Ludwig, this phrase may sound awkward and is not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "specifies with" is a verb phrase used to indicate the provision of particular details or requirements, often within scientific or technical contexts. While grammatically acceptable, it's considered uncommon and potentially awkward, as noted by Ludwig. Alternative phrasing, such as "defines with" or "details using", may offer improved clarity and naturalness. The phrase is most suitable when aiming for precision in formal or technical communication but should be used judiciously to avoid convoluted sentence structures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defines through

Replaces "specifies" with "defines" and "with" with "through", altering the nuance slightly to emphasize the method of definition.

details using

Substitutes "specifies" with "details" and "with" with "using", focusing on the act of providing detailed information.

outlines via

Replaces "specifies" with "outlines" and "with" with "via", indicating a structured overview is provided.

designates by

Changes "specifies" to "designates" and "with" to "by", implying a formal assignment or naming.

prescribes through

Substitutes "specifies" with "prescribes" and "with" with "through", suggesting a mandatory or required method.

stipulates by means of

Replaces "specifies" with "stipulates" and "with" with "by means of", indicating a formal agreement or condition.

dictates using

Substitutes "specifies" with "dictates" and "with" with "using", implying a strong and authoritative command.

characterizes through

Replaces "specifies" with "characterizes" and "with" with "through", focusing on the defining attributes.

identifies with

Replaces "specifies" with "identifies", implying an act of recognition or association.

indicates by

Changes "specifies" to "indicates" and "with" to "by", focusing on signaling or pointing out.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "specifies with" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "defines with", "details using", or "outlines via", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "specifies with" and "specifies using"?

While both are grammatically acceptable, "specifies using" might sound more contemporary in some contexts. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Using implies a method, with might imply something accompanies the specification.

In what contexts is "specifies with" most appropriate?

"Specifies with" is most appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is being defined or clarified in relation to something else. According to Ludwig, the phrase might feel awkward and should be considered carefully.

Can I use "specifies with" in formal writing?

Yes, you can use "specifies with" in formal writing, but ensure the sentence structure is clear and the usage is precise. Overly complex sentences may benefit from rephrasing to enhance readability. Consider rephrasing to /s/stipulates+by+means+of in legal documents.