was to specify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to specify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a purpose or intention in a past context. Example: "The main goal of the meeting was to specify the project's objectives and timelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The objective was to specify the benefits of randomization in estimating causal effects of treatments.

Harvard University

The aim of the study was to specify the epidemiological, clinical, and mycological particularities of tinea capitis in infants.

Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses

At the same time, the state concluded that the only way to end this two-track system was to specify academic standards from elementary school.

The New York Times - Magazine

A major goal of Gestalt theory in the 20th century was to specify the brain processes that might account for the organization of perception.

Britannica

The aim of this work was to specify the influence of the other parameters for which various results have been published in recent literature.

Electrochimica Acta

The objective of this study was to specify the behavioral variables, and their respective cutoff points, most associated with successful weight loss outcomes.

Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The goal of activity design is to specify system functionality.

Usability Engineering Scenario-Based Development of Human-Computer Interaction

The purpose of this step is to specify what must be true for each possibility to be a terrific choice.

Harvard Business Review

The first step is to specify the initial market distribution.

Business Research

The first task is to specify the object of explanation.

Evolutionary Applications

An important step in efficiency analysis is to specify outputs.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was to specify", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the goal or intention. It's most effective when followed by a precise description of what needs to be specified.

Common error

Avoid using "was to specify" in vague contexts where the specific target of the specification is unclear. Always follow it with a noun or phrase that clearly defines what is being specified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to specify" functions as an infinitive phrase following a past tense verb. It indicates a purpose or intention in a past context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

26%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was to specify" is a grammatically sound and relatively common construction used to denote a past intention or objective, especially in academic, scientific, and news contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it is effective for clearly stating the aim of an action or study. When using "was to specify", ensure that the intended goal is clear and that the phrase is followed by a specific definition of what is being specified. Alternative phrases like "aimed to define" or "intended to determine" can be used to achieve similar communicative purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aimed to define

Focuses on defining something clearly and precisely.

intended to determine

Highlights the intent of finding out or establishing something.

sought to establish

Emphasizes the effort made to set up or prove something.

had the objective of identifying

Clearly states the goal of recognizing or discovering something specific.

set out to delineate

Focuses on outlining or defining the boundaries of something.

meant to clarify

Indicates the purpose of making something easier to understand.

purposed to detail

Highlights the intention of providing detailed information.

aspired to pinpoint

Emphasizes the desire to accurately identify or locate something.

envisioned to characterize

Focuses on describing the distinctive features of something as envisioned.

planned to designate

Highlights the planned action of assigning a specific role or name.

FAQs

How can I use "was to specify" in a sentence?

Use "was to specify" to indicate a past intention or goal to define something clearly. For example: "The purpose of the experiment "was to specify" the reaction rate".

What are some alternatives to "was to specify"?

You can use alternatives like "aimed to define", "intended to determine", or "sought to establish" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "was to specify" or "is to specify"?

"Was to specify" indicates a past intention, while "is to specify" indicates a present or future intention. Choose the correct tense based on the time frame you're referencing.

What's the difference between "was to specify" and "was intended to specify"?

"Was to specify" is more direct, while "was intended to specify" adds emphasis on the intent behind the action. They are largely interchangeable, but the latter can highlight the purpose more explicitly.