specify about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specify about" is not correct or usable in written English.
To specify means to be exact and precise in describing something, so the phrase "specify about" is redundant. Instead, you can use the phrase "specify" on its own. For example, "Can you specify the exact details of the job you want me to do?".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The sages suggest that there was no reason to specify about the fins and scales other than to increase the amount of Torah study in the world.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But some pattern has to be specified about how that risk is assumed to change: is the stock going to fluctuate more in the future than it does now, or less?

The New York Times

And add that it seems unlikely that someone with so good an ear would call anything "The Family Glass," and that one of the few forthcoming stories specified, about a party in the nineteen-twenties, was already explicitly promised by Salinger himself, in the introduction to his story "Hapworth 16, 1924").

The New Yorker

An expectation can thus be specified about the selection environment.

Triple Helix

Other values may be chosen for n1 and n2, depending on what is specified about the conservation constraints in the system.

Geochemical Transactions

Figure 1 Room temperature powder XRD pattern of the ZnO straight nanowires using Cu Kα radiation and the (hkl) values of the hexagonal ZnO are specified about the diffraction peaks.

Nanoscale Research Letters

And this with only zP Jy, without anything being specified about the rankings of the other lineages between y and z.

BMC Systems Biology

The best labeling experiment specifies just over half (73/139 = 0.52) the degrees of freedom required, and 20% [U-C] glucose only specifies about one fourth of the possible degrees of freedom (0.26).

BMC Systems Biology

In 20-60% of cases, community-acquired pneumonia is attributable to SP, although only a small percentage of these cases are identified as such [ 16] (it is estimated that, when the microorganism is not specified, about 36% of cases are attributable to SP infection [ 6]).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Shi and Lyons-Weiler [ 19] presented the Clinical Decision Modeling System CDMSS), which allows searching for random classification trees that fulfill user specified constraints about model complexity and accuracy.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

He sent courteous letters to 20 of them, explaining that he was interested in buying their land, though he did not specify anything about hot water.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "specify about". Use "specify" alone to convey the meaning of stating something explicitly and in detail.

Common error

The most common mistake is adding the preposition "about" after "specify". "Specify" already implies providing details about something, making "about" redundant. Simply use "specify" followed by the details you wish to state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specify about" is generally used to attempt to provide detailed information or requirements. However, it's grammatically incorrect as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The correct usage is simply "specify" followed by the relevant details.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33.33%

News & Media

33.33%

Formal & Business

33.33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "specify about" might seem intuitive, it is grammatically incorrect and redundant. As Ludwig AI points out, "specify" inherently means to provide details about something. Therefore, the best practice is to use "specify" alone, followed by the information you wish to convey. Although examples exist, these instances do not validate the phrase's correctness. Remember to use "specify" to ensure clear and accurate communication, especially in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specify

Removes the unnecessary 'about' making the phrase grammatically correct. It focuses on providing precise details.

specify details

Emphasizes the act of providing particular information.

define

Indicates a clear and precise explanation or description.

stipulate

Suggests setting out specific conditions or requirements.

designate

Implies clearly indicating or identifying something.

elucidate

Focuses on making something clear and easy to understand.

outline

Suggests presenting the main features or points of something.

spell out

Indicates explaining something in a very clear and detailed way.

set forth

Implies presenting ideas, facts, or details in a clear and organized way.

lay down

Suggests establishing rules or principles in a formal way.

FAQs

How can I use "specify" correctly in a sentence?

Use "specify" followed directly by the details you want to state. For example, "Please specify your preferred payment method." Avoid adding prepositions like "about" after "specify".

What's wrong with the phrase "specify about"?

The phrase "specify about" is redundant. The verb "specify" already includes the meaning of providing details about something, so adding "about" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this.

What can I say instead of "specify about"?

Use simply "specify" or phrases like "provide details", "outline the requirements", or "stipulate the terms" depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to use a preposition after "specify"?

While "specify about" is incorrect, other prepositions can follow "specify" depending on the context, though it is rare. For example, you might "specify in detail" or "specify by name", but such usages are less common than using "specify" alone.