unless otherwise specified

USAGE SUMMARY

"unless otherwise specified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to indicate that something has to be done in one way or another, unless stated otherwise. For example: All orders must be checked twice before shipping, unless otherwise specified.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monthly Costs (unless otherwise specified).

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Unless otherwise specified, all accept major credit cards.

The New York Times - Travel

Any purchases and debts are theirs jointly, unless otherwise specified.

The New York Times

Unless otherwise specified museums and galleries are in Boston.

The New York Times - Travel

We set Z0≡1 unless otherwise specified.

Journal of Statistical Distributions and Applications

All Images via Getty unless otherwise specified.

Huffington Post

All photos by the author unless otherwise specified.

Vice

Details of Nabil's life, unless otherwise specified, come from Crider.

Vice

All data are for 2013 and 2014 unless otherwise specified.

Huffington Post

Numbers represent average±SEM, unless otherwise specified.

Plosone

(St . Louis MO) unless otherwise specified.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unless otherwise specified" to preemptively address potential exceptions or variations to a general rule or statement, ensuring clarity and preventing misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "unless otherwise specified" excessively within a single document or piece of writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Consider if the exception is already clear from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unless otherwise specified" functions as a qualifier, adding a condition to a statement. It indicates that the statement is true in general, but there are exceptions that may be explicitly stated elsewhere. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unless otherwise specified" serves as a qualifier, clarifying that a statement holds true except where explicitly noted. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used. It is common in science, news, and formal contexts to preemptively address potential exceptions. While incredibly useful, overuse should be avoided to maintain impact. Alternatives like "unless otherwise indicated" can be used for variety. When incorporating this phrase, remember it enhances clarity and reduces ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unless otherwise clarified

Focuses on making something clearer if there's ambiguity, differing from a general specification.

unless otherwise stipulated

Implies a more formal agreement or condition is in place, adding a layer of contractual obligation.

unless otherwise indicated

Highlights that a different direction or piece of information might be provided separately.

unless otherwise defined

Emphasizes the potential for a term or concept to have a specific, non-standard meaning.

unless otherwise directed

Suggests that someone with authority may give different instructions, emphasizing obedience.

except as specified

Narrows the scope to only the cases that have been explicitly mentioned, creating a stronger limitation.

unless indicated otherwise

Similar to 'unless otherwise indicated' but with a slightly more concise phrasing.

unless stated otherwise

Emphasizes that the current statement holds unless an explicit contradiction is provided.

unless provided otherwise

Highlights the possibility of alternative provisions or arrangements being made.

unless otherwise identified

Focuses on the possibility that specific items or entities may be distinguished from the general group.

FAQs

How can I use "unless otherwise specified" in a sentence?

The phrase "unless otherwise specified" is used to indicate that a statement is generally true except when explicitly stated differently. For example, "All prices are in US dollars, unless otherwise specified."

What's a formal alternative to "unless otherwise specified"?

A more formal alternative could be "except as otherwise provided herein" or "except where explicitly stated". In less formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "unless otherwise indicated".

Is it redundant to say "unless otherwise specified"?

While not strictly redundant, overuse of "unless otherwise specified" can weaken its impact. Ensure it adds meaningful clarity. If the context already implies exceptions, consider omitting it or rephrasing for conciseness.

Where should I place "unless otherwise specified" in a sentence?

It typically follows the statement it modifies, setting a condition for exceptions. For instance, "All ingredients should be organic, unless otherwise specified." It is often placed at the end of the main clause.