specify with

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the phrase "specify with" in written English.
For example, you could say, "Please specify with more details what you mean by 'rare'."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 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

It did not specify with whom, but the name swirling around Wall Street was that of Smurfit-Stone Container, the world's biggest corrugated-box maker -- itself formed when Jefferson Smurfit gobbled up the Stone Container Corporation in 1998.

The New York Times

Ganis said that he had witnessed Huang's relationships with business and government officials in China, but declined to specify with whom he deals and how deep his relationships run with the government.

The New York Times

Well-structured problems (also called well-defined problems) have clear solution paths: the problem solver is usually able to specify, with relative ease, all the steps that must be taken to reach a solution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There's even an automatic receptionist feature that greets incoming calls (on all lines or on ones that you specify) with your recorded voice saying, for example, "To leave a message for Robin, press 1," and then routes the call to the appropriate box.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specify with", ensure that both the item being specified and the accompanying detail are clearly articulated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "specify with" when a simpler verb like "use", "include", or "provide" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

Function: The phrase "specify with" serves as a verb phrase indicating the act of providing precise details or instructions in conjunction with something else. It combines the action of specifying with an accompanying element, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples. This is in line with Ludwig's AI assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "specify with" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to indicate providing detailed information alongside something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its primary function is to ensure clarity and precision, making it suitable for formal and scientific contexts. While there are several alternatives, such as "detail with" or "designate with", choosing the most appropriate phrase depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "specify with", ensure both the item being specified and the accompanying detail are clearly articulated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detail with

Focuses on providing details in conjunction with something, similar to specifying.

designate with

Implies assigning a specific characteristic or function alongside something else.

define with

Highlights the act of defining or clarifying aspects related to something.

stipulate with

Emphasizes setting explicit conditions or requirements in connection with something.

prescribe with

Suggests giving explicit directions or instructions along with something.

indicate with

Focuses on pointing out or showing something alongside something else.

characterize with

Implies describing the qualities or features in combination with something else.

denote with

Suggests using a symbol or sign to represent something alongside something else.

elucidate with

Highlights making something clear and understandable in relation to something else.

disambiguate with

Focuses on removing any ambiguity or confusion through association with something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "specify with" to indicate providing detailed information alongside something else, such as, "Please "specify with" which version of the software you are experiencing the issue".

What are some alternatives to "specify with"?

Consider using alternatives like "detail with", "designate with", or "define with" depending on the context to vary your phrasing.

Is it always necessary to use "specify with" when providing details?

No, often simpler verbs like "include", "use", or "provide" can be more direct and clearer. Choose the phrasing that best suits the level of detail and formality required.

What's the difference between "specify with" and "characterize with"?

"Specify with" implies providing precise details or requirements, while "characterize with" focuses on describing the qualities or features associated with something. The choice depends on whether you're giving instructions or providing a description.