which specifies that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which specifies that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are introducing a statement that is intended to provide more information about a particular topic. For example: "The law includes a clause which specifies that businesses must be licensed before they can operate in the state."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Democrats have said the proposed map ran afoul of the state constitution, which specifies that redistricting take place after the decennial census in years ending in one.

The Washington Post

The second pathway by which digital technologies transform organizations, which specifies that work is increasingly thought driven, suggests that no single person — including a boss — is smart enough to have insight into every aspect of a decision anyway.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We accounted for the cluster effect of households with STATA's "cluster" option for logistic regression, which specifies that observations are independent across households but not within households.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The final checklist selection was undertaken using the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS), which specifies that decision aids should provide information about condition of the users and the options available, help to users clarify their values and help them to share their values with their health provider and others.

Health information and libraries journal

MGR: Add a command line argument which specifies that the Manager was launched by the OS.

University of California, Berkeley

There is the black level, at 0.3 volts, which specifies that nothing should be drawn at a certain pixel, and there is the white level at 1 volt, which specifies that a pixel should be white.

Cornell University

Congress also enacted the Transmit Clause, which specifies that an entity performs publicly when it "transmit[s]..

Harvard University

The bill, which specifies that abortion care should not be mentioned when discussing healthcare options for pregnant women, will now go before Governor Nathan Deal for his signature.

The Guardian

New York's IFC Center is flouting the film's NC-17 rating, which specifies that children under the age of 17 should not be permitted entry.

The Guardian - Film

He can claim it by fulfilling the rather odd terms of the uncle's will, which specifies that Harry take the corpse on a tour of Monte Carlo.

The New York Times

The company calls the overall program Zeroth, borrowing from the science fiction author Isaac Asimov's "Zeroth Law of Robotics" (which specifies that robots must not harm humanity).

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which specifies that" to clearly introduce details that provide concrete conditions or criteria.

Common error

Avoid replacing "which" with "that" if the clause is non-restrictive (adds extra information but isn't essential to the sentence's meaning). Use "which" in these cases, preceded by a comma.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which specifies that" functions as a relative clause, introducing detailed information that defines or elaborates on a preceding noun. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound way to add specific conditions or requirements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which specifies that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause that serves to introduce detailed conditions, requirements, or definitions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is particularly common in formal and scientific contexts, lending clarity and precision to communication. When using this phrase, ensure the clause introduced by "which" is non-restrictive and that "which", not "that", is used. Consider alternatives like "which stipulates that" or "which provides that" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which stipulates that

Focuses on a formal requirement or condition. Less emphasis on simple definition.

which provides that

Indicates a formal provision or allowance. Focuses on enablement and authorization.

which sets out that

Emphasizes a structured presentation or explanation. Focuses on organization and detail.

which dictates that

Implies a strong, authoritative requirement. Carries a sense of command.

which lays down that

Highlights the establishment of a rule or guideline. More formal than "specifies".

which prescribes that

Emphasizes a recommended or required course of action. Focuses on specific instructions.

which states that

A more general way to say something is said in a formal way. Less specific about the type of information.

which defines that

Highlights the act of giving a precise meaning. More about clarification than requirements.

which determines that

Focuses on the act of finding something out definitively. Less about stating existing rules.

that indicates that

Highlights that something is a sign or symptom of something else. Less direct and more suggestive.

FAQs

How can I use "which specifies that" in a sentence?

Use "which specifies that" to introduce a clause that provides detailed requirements or conditions related to something previously mentioned. For example, "The contract, which specifies that all payments must be made within 30 days, is legally binding."

What are some alternatives to "which specifies that"?

You can use alternatives like "which stipulates that", "which dictates that", or "which provides that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "that specifies that" instead of "which specifies that"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "which specifies that" is generally preferred when the clause is non-restrictive, meaning it provides additional but not essential information. "That specifies that" is used when the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

What's the difference between "which specifies that" and "which indicates that"?

"Which specifies that" introduces a detailed requirement or condition, while "which indicates that" suggests something is a sign or symptom, implying a less direct relationship. For example, "The rule, which specifies that all students must wear uniforms, ensures a professional atmosphere" versus "The data, which indicates that sales are declining, requires further analysis".