unspecified

USAGE SUMMARY

"unspecified" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective which can be used to describe a person, thing or situation that is not known or has not been clearly stated. For example, "The identity of the perpetrator of the crime remains unspecified".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the eve of the commencement, anger was still simmering as president James F Jones Jr announced he would not participate Saturday because of the fears of unspecified disruptions.

The Guardian

No pricing information was announced, but the service will be also be available in two – as yet unspecified – international markets.

The Guardian

He suggested in September 2013 that it would aim to sell its phones nearly at cost, and profit on services – but which services is unspecified.

The Guardian - Tech

People found guilty of antisocial behaviour, vandalism, gambling or going to strip clubs will be placed on the list for two years and will face additional, unspecified punishments.

The Guardian

The architects of the cyber-attack, who call themselves Guardians of Peace, have demanded Sony can The Interview or face further unspecified consequences.

The Guardian - Film

There were whispers also of some unspecified "sexual misconduct".

The Guardian

He can't yet be sure whether he can persuade other member states to get around the table to discuss his plan to reform the European Union and repatriate some as yet unspecified powers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Labour have said they would reduce the deficit over a slightly longer time through an unspecified mix of tax rises and spending cuts.

The Guardian

He said ministerial visits to Indonesia would remain "suspended" for an unspecified period.

The Guardian

In return, the government announced new aid to PNG for hospitals and universities and said it would pay unspecified "resettlement costs" for the refugees as well as bearing the costs of the expansion and upgrade of the Manus Island processing centre.

The Guardian

After Berry acquired a gun from an unspecified acquaintance, satisfied police allegedly drove her to a Dunkin' Donuts and let her go without charge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "unspecified" avoid tautology, like "unspecified details" or "unspecified information", because the word itself implies the absence of details.

Common error

While "unspecified" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "unknown" or "unclear" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "unspecified" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies a noun to indicate that certain details pertaining to that noun are not explicitly stated or defined. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unspecified" is a versatile adjective used to indicate a lack of specific details. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a correct and usable term in written English, suitable for formal contexts. While versatile, it is most effective when aiming for objectivity and precision in reporting or documentation. While the word appears most frequently in sources from "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science", writers should consider the level of formality needed as well as more colloquial alternatives when aiming for a less formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not specified

Replaces "un-" prefix with "not" for direct negation, maintaining formal tone.

undefined

Implies a lack of clear boundaries or meaning, suitable in technical contexts.

undetermined

Suggests the details are yet to be established or decided.

unidentified

Indicates that the identity is unknown, often used in investigative contexts.

unnamed

Focuses on the absence of a name or label.

not detailed

Highlights the lack of elaboration or thoroughness.

vague

Emphasizes a lack of clarity and precision.

imprecise

Highlights a lack of exactness or accuracy.

not clearly defined

More verbose, stressing the absence of clear definition.

unspecified as yet

Indicates the lack of specification is temporary.

FAQs

How to use "unspecified" in a sentence?

"Unspecified" is used to indicate that something is not stated explicitly or known in detail. For example, "The contract included an "unspecified amount" for additional services".

What can I say instead of "unspecified"?

You can use alternatives like "undefined", "undetermined", or "unidentified" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unspecified amount" or "not specified amount"?

"Unspecified amount" is more concise and commonly used than "not specified amount". Both are grammatically correct, but "unspecified" functions as a single adjective.

What's the difference between "unspecified" and "unknown"?

"Unspecified" suggests that details have been deliberately or accidentally left out, while "unknown" simply means that the information is not available or recognized. "The reasons for his absence were "unspecified reasons"" versus "The culprit remains unknown".