whose specialty is to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose specialty is to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone whose area of expertise or focus is a particular task or field. Example: "She is a consultant whose specialty is to improve organizational efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But it also has a core of activists whose specialty is to harass the opposition.

The New Yorker

They include a large pool of angel investors and a number of small venture funds whose specialty is to invest tens of thousands of dollars, or hundreds of thousands at most.

The New York Times - Tech

Today, the government negotiates reimbursement rates for research conducted at university laboratories.3 Government auditors "live" at the universities and their hands are held by a group of administrative personnel whose specialty is to negotiate indirect cost rates on government contracts and grants.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

All will be set right in a footnote, though you may forget about the scholarship while reading of how the former "showgirl," Empress Theodora of Byzantium, "was said to be a gymnastically gifted orgiast whose specialty was to offer all three orifices to her clients simultaneously".

The New York Times - Books

She is also a commodity in this rarefied market, a prostitute whose specialty is alluded to in the title of the movie.

The New York Times

"You still get a condescending attitude from someone whose specialty is supposed to be more serious," said Charles C. Alexander, distinguished professor of history at Ohio University, "but I think we're getting beyond that.

The New York Times - Arts

PAGE B11 WEEKEND 'TIS A PITY She's a Brand The main character in Steven Soderbergh's "The Girlfriend Experience" is not only a consumer of top-of-the line merchandise, but also a prostitute whose specialty is alluded to in the title of the movie.

The New York Times

I called my doctor, Michael Rendel, who practices in Manhattan and whose specialty is infectious diseases, to ask whether he saw many illnesses or infections that were a result of swimming.

The New York Times - Health

THE Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts chain, which caters squarely to business travelers, has signed up a celebrity spokesman whose specialty is near and dear to the guests' hearts: golf.

The New York Times

Back in the present, Joe begins a combative Hepburn-Tracy kind of romance with Tessa Kendrick (Claudie Blakley), a British marketing consultant whose specialty is teaching Western businesses how to sell to China.

The New York Times

Jeremy Carrier, the protagonist, is a therapist whose specialty is counseling those about to undergo painful medical procedures.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whose specialty is to" when clearly defining a person or group's specific skill or area of focus. Ensure the context requires a formal or semi-formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "whose specialty is to" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "who specializes in" or "who's good at" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose specialty is to" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun, indicating the specific area of expertise or focus of that noun. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as a grammatically correct construct used to describe someone's specific skill or talent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose specialty is to" is a grammatically correct relative clause used to specify an individual's or group's expertise, as affirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, it's more suited for neutral to formal contexts, indicating expertise in a specific area. Alternative phrases like "who specializes in" or "whose expertise lies in" can offer more concise alternatives. Keep in mind the context to ensure appropriate tone and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whose expertise lies in

Focuses on expertise rather than specialty, changing the noun.

who specializes in

Uses a verb to indicate specialization, simplifying the structure.

whose focus is on

Replaces "specialty" with "focus", shifting the emphasis slightly.

whose area of expertise is

Emphasizes the area of expertise, making it more formal.

whose talent is for

Highlights talent rather than specialty, indicating a natural ability.

who is skilled at

Uses "skilled" to convey proficiency, altering the sentence structure.

whose forte is

Employs "forte" to denote a strength or special talent.

who excels in

Indicates excellence in a particular area, changing the phrasing.

whose proficiency is in

Highlights proficiency, making it more formal and precise.

who is adept at

Uses "adept" to indicate skill and competence.

FAQs

What does "whose specialty is to" mean?

It means that someone's area of expertise or main skill involves performing a specific task or operating within a particular field. For instance, a doctor "whose specialty is to" treat heart conditions is a cardiologist.

How can I use "whose specialty is to" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's expertise. Example: "The company hired a consultant "whose specialty is to" streamline operations."

What are some alternatives to "whose specialty is to"?

You can use alternatives like "who specializes in", "whose expertise lies in", or "whose focus is on" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "whose specialty is" or "who specializes in"?

Both are correct, but "who specializes in" is generally more concise and commonly used. "Whose specialty is" can sound more formal or emphasize the noun "specialty".