why specifically this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "why specifically this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking for clarification or justification regarding a particular choice or decision. Example: "I understand your reasoning, but can you explain why specifically this option was chosen over the others?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It corresponds to a reaction intermediate that occurs during a series of conformational changes triggered by mismatch recognition, and explains why specifically this conformation of MutS is able to recruit MutL.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is yet not clear whether this list is complete and why specifically those cell types are affected.

Plosone

"Why specifically that club?" she asked, shaking her head.

Los Angeles Times

Wallace wants to know what, and why, specifically, the president is outraged about here.

Huffington Post

(TD5, trainee) Why specifically the brain stem?

Advances in Health Sciences Education

The introduction should then go on to set out a better rationale for why specifically the authors thought the MMN should be studied in a rat, and why they should look in the hippocampus for this.

F1000Research

26 Historical exposure circumstances should be explored further in order to answer why, specifically, these workers experience high oral cancer mortality.

BMJ Open

As to why specifically those two pathways were retained in both the endosymbiont and the host we can for only speculate.

Genome Biology and Evolution

KF: Why, specifically, does this diet produce those results?

HuffPost

Why specifically acting and why this weird comment at the end, "What could be prettier?" What does prettiness have to do with this?

Yale University

Say what you can bring to the table, and why specifically you want to work with this director.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "why specifically this" when you need a clear and precise explanation for a particular choice, action, or situation. It's useful in analytical or investigative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "why specifically this" in very informal settings; it can sound overly formal or even interrogative. Simpler alternatives like "why this?" or "why this one?" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "why specifically this" functions as an interrogative phrase used to seek clarification or justification for a particular selection or situation. Ludwig AI indicates this is grammatically correct, and the examples show it in contexts requiring detailed explanations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "why specifically this" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, predominantly employed to solicit detailed explanations or justifications for a particular choice or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently encountered in science, news media, and academic contexts, indicating a tendency towards neutral to professional registers. While not overly common, its precision renders it invaluable when deeper understanding is required. Related phrases include "why this in particular" or "what is the specific reason for this". Remember to consider the formality of the situation, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why this in particular

Emphasizes the selection of 'this' item over others.

why this particular one

Highlights a specific instance or item being questioned.

what is the specific reason for this

More formal and directly asks for the reason.

why especially this

Emphasizes the exceptional or unique nature of 'this'.

why single out this

Focuses on the act of isolating 'this' item.

what is so special about this

Implies that there is something unique or noteworthy about 'this'.

why prioritize this

Questions the order of importance given to 'this'.

what justifies this specific choice

Asks for the justification behind selecting 'this' option.

on what grounds this specifically

Inquires about the basis or rationale for 'this'.

what makes this different

Focuses on the distinguishing characteristics of 'this'.

FAQs

How can I use "why specifically this" in a sentence?

You can use "why specifically this" to ask for a detailed reason behind a particular choice or situation. For example: "I understand the general plan, but why specifically this approach was chosen?"

What's a less formal way to ask "why specifically this"?

In less formal situations, you can use alternatives like "Why this?", "Why this one in particular?", or simply "Why this way?"

Is "why specifically this" always appropriate?

While grammatically correct, "why specifically this" can sound somewhat formal. Consider your audience and the context to determine if a simpler phrasing would be more suitable.

What is the difference between "why this" and "why specifically this"?

"Why this?" is a general question, while "why specifically this" seeks a more detailed and particular explanation. The latter implies a need for justification or a deeper understanding of the rationale.