unspecific

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unspecific" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not specific or doesn't give clear information. For example, "The website gave some general guidelines, but they were quite unspecific."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chicago police, in separate but unspecific statements have denied there is anything untoward about the facility.

The Guardian

A frontbench Conservative admits to a "feeling of unspecific guilt" when he boards a Great North Eastern Railway train from London, though his party's history tells a more nuanced story.

The Economist

It's not impossible to imagine the Chinese economy producing destabilising shocks in the next year, but China is better positioned to handle them than most.The Times piece is woefully unspecific about what a "sharp" slowdown in growth might mean.

The Economist

"Becoming Jane", a recent Hollywood production, presents a different, highly speculative, explanation: a beautiful girl has her heart broken by a flighty Irishman and turns to writing for solace.Miss Austen herself rated her heroines' other attributes more highly than their looks, on which she rarely spends more than a few unspecific words.

The Economist

Where the programme was specific over action for example, about its plans to reverse the government cuts in pensions and sick pay it was quite unspecific over finance: how would it pay for such measures?

The Economist

And it wants to replace India's Minorities Commission with an unspecific human-rights body (pointing out that the rights of Hindus, as well as of minorities, get trampled on too).

The Economist

He added that the upcoming Universal Credit, a means of simplifying benefit payments and tax credits now being (rather slowly) implemented, should help poorer working families, by sharpening incentives to earn.Although the archbishop was unspecific about which benefits he felt had been unfairly attacked, he is on strongest ground when it comes to the level of the Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA).

The Economist

Valentine's Day has a conveniently unspecific origin myth.

The Economist

They had been making pretty unspecific noises about efforts to promote a reconciliation.

The Economist

In a paper published in 2007, the Czech immunologist Jaroslav Svoboda praised Holub's work and pointed out that Holub's ideas, including those on immunology, that might have seemed too bold or unspecific at the time when he suggested them were subsequently proved correct by modern scientific methods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, metaphysical theories tend to be extremely general and as such highly unspecific.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unspecific", ensure your writing provides sufficient context to understand what details are lacking. Clarify why the information is "unspecific" and what impact that has.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "unspecific" in formal or academic writing. Replace it with more descriptive alternatives like "lacking detail" or "poorly defined" to enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The word "unspecific" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of detail or precision. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "unspecific" describes statements, plans, or threats, highlighting their undefined nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unspecific" functions as an adjective indicating a lack of detail or precision. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously in formal writing and ensure clarity by providing context when indicating that something is "unspecific". Related terms include "vague", "general", and "indefinite". Remember to be more descriptive by using terms like "lacking detail" or "poorly defined" if possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not detailed

This alternative directly replaces "unspecific" with a more explicit description of lacking detail.

lacking precision

Focuses on the absence of precision, highlighting the inexact nature of something.

broad in scope

Indicates a wide but shallow coverage, lacking specific details.

general in nature

Emphasizes the overall generality without particular focus.

ill-defined

Suggests a lack of clarity and clear boundaries.

poorly defined

Similar to "ill-defined", highlighting a lack of clear definition.

somewhat vague

Adds a degree of uncertainty and lack of clarity.

not clearly delineated

Highlights the absence of distinct boundaries or features.

without specifics

Directly points out the absence of specific details.

in indefinite terms

Describes something expressed without clear or fixed limits.

FAQs

How can I use "unspecific" in a sentence?

You can use "unspecific" to describe information or statements that lack detail. For example, "The report provided some "general guidelines", but they were quite unspecific."

What are some alternatives to using "unspecific"?

Alternatives include "vague", "general", "indefinite", or "lacking detail depending" on the specific context.

Is it better to be specific or "unspecific" in a contract?

In legal documents like contracts, it's generally better to be specific. Being "unspecific" can lead to misunderstandings and legal disputes. Strive for clarity and precision.

What's the difference between "unspecific" and "imprecise"?

"Unspecific" means lacking particular details or clarity, while "imprecise" suggests a lack of exactness or accuracy. Something "unspecific" might be broad, while something "imprecise" might be slightly off.