to be more specific to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be more specific to" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally refers to providing further detail to an idea or concept, usually in response to a request for more information. For example: "Can you explain a bit more about what you meant?" "Yes, to be more specific to your question, I believe the best approach is to…".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But for housing, health care and child care I changed the numbers to be more specific to where we live.

The New York Times

He declined to be more specific; to require that day workers produce valid green cards or sign registries would probably dissuade most of the workers from using the hiring halls at all.

The New York Times

In particular, an unstable R-protein tends to be more specific to its cognate signal, whereas a stable R-protein tends to be more promiscuous.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Neuroticism has been hypothesized to be a non-specific risk factor for both anxiety and unipolar mood disorders whereas some cognitive and personality-cognitive vulnerabilities have been hypothesized to be more specific to depression.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Newly-identified microRNAs are likely to be more specific to tissue or developmental stage.

Plosone

Thus, stronger interference in PD with this paradigm appears to be more specific to PD than to concurrent anxiety.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Mainly, the ISD system translates the current road conditions (detailed road signs and traffic conditions) to its own specific 'well-being' to be more specific, to the system of its needs (one of the inner system states of the ISD, as described above).

Cognitive Computation

These results seem to show that some MMPs may be more specific to NSCLC tissues than to SCLC tissues.

BMC Cancer

To be more specific, he needs to see more dance.

The New York Times - Arts

"We'll have to remind them to be more specific".

The New York Times

I tried to get her to be more specific.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be more specific to" when you need to narrow down a broad statement or idea to a particular aspect or area. This helps ensure clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "To be more specific to." This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use different transitional phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be more specific to" functions as a transitional phrase used to introduce further details or clarification related to a previous statement. It guides the reader towards a narrower, more precise focus. Ludwig examples highlight its use across different writing styles and purposes, showing its value in providing more accurate and targeted explanations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be more specific to" serves as a valuable transitional phrase for adding precision to a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its presence in diverse contexts, most notably science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality and doesn't become repetitive. Consider alternatives like "to elaborate further on" or "to clarify in detail" to maintain variety in your writing. This attention to detail will enhance the clarity and engagement of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to specify further

Highlights the act of making something more precise.

to be more precise about

Shifts the focus to accuracy and exactness.

to clarify in detail

Emphasizes making something clearer through detailed explanation.

to provide a clearer focus on

Emphasizes bringing something into sharper focus.

to elaborate further on

Focuses on providing more detailed information.

to refine the details of

Highlights the process of improving or clarifying specific details.

to go into greater detail regarding

Suggests a deeper exploration of a particular aspect.

to pinpoint more accurately

Highlights the act of identifying something with greater precision.

to delineate with greater precision

Focuses on outlining or defining something more clearly.

to expound in greater depth

Suggests a thorough and detailed explanation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to be more specific to" is used to narrow down a general statement. For example, "The study focused on behavioral changes; "to be more specific to", changes in eating habits".

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

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "to be more specific to"?

Yes, "to be more specific to" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in formal writing and scientific contexts, as shown by Ludwig AI.

When should I use "to be more specific to" instead of just "to be more specific"?

Use "to be more specific to" when you want to narrow down a general statement to a particular subject or context. "To be more specific" can be used in a broader sense without necessarily referring to a specific subject.