to be more specific

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be more specific" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to provide more details and to clarify something. For example, "The company has had a net loss of $100,000 in the last year. To be more specific, their profits decreased by 10 percent compared to the previous year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Senator McCain declined to be more specific.

The New York Times

She declined to be more specific.

The New York Times

Mr. Gillinson declined to be more specific.

The New York Times - Arts

Related declined to be more specific.

The New York Times

He declines to be more specific.

The New York Times

He declined to be more specific.

The New York Times

To be more specific: me.

The Guardian - Tech

The general refused to be more specific.

The Guardian

Turner declined to be more specific.

The Guardian

Mr. Rumsfeld declined to be more specific.

The New York Times

"You've got to be more specific, Ed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be more specific" to introduce a clarifying detail or narrower focus after a general statement. For example: "The project needs improvement; to be more specific, the timeline is unrealistic."

Common error

Avoid using "to be more specific" as a crutch for vague or unsupported claims. Ensure you have concrete details to offer when using the phrase. For example, don't say 'The results were bad, to be more specific...' without having data to support what aspects were actually 'bad'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be more specific" functions as an adverbial phrase, used to modify a preceding clause by providing additional details or clarification. As Ludwig AI states, it serves to clarify something by giving more information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be more specific" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce clarifying details and narrow the focus of a previous statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to provide more information and examples. It is versatile and appropriate for different communication contexts and genres, with the highest frequency in News & Media. When using it, ensure that you have concrete details to offer to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include phrases like "more precisely" or "in detail". Overall, it is a useful phrase for enhancing clarity in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more precisely

Focuses on accuracy and exactness.

in detail

Emphasizes a thorough and comprehensive explanation.

to clarify further

Highlights the intent to make something clearer.

for instance

Introduces a specific example to illustrate a point.

as an illustration

Offers a particular instance to exemplify a concept.

in other words

Restates something in a simpler or different way.

put another way

Presents an alternative phrasing to aid understanding.

namely

Introduces specific items or details.

that is to say

Provides an explanation or interpretation of something.

by way of explanation

Introduces an explanation for better comprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "to be more specific" in a sentence?

Use "to be more specific" to introduce a detail that clarifies a previous statement. For instance, "The company needs to improve its customer service; "to be more specific", response times are too slow."

What are some alternatives to saying "to be more specific"?

You can use alternatives like "more precisely", "in detail", or "to clarify further" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "to be more specific" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to provide additional, clarifying information to a statement you've already made. It helps narrow the focus and offer greater detail.

What's the difference between "to be more specific" and "for example"?

"To be more specific" narrows down a general statement, while "for example" introduces an instance that illustrates a broader point. The first adds granularity and the second provides an instance to exemplify the concept.