with what specificity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with what specificity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for details or clarity regarding the level of precision or detail in a statement or request. Example: "Can you explain with what specificity you would like the report to be formatted?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This study (n = 1000) was designed to identify AVA vaccinated individuals who generate neutralizing antibodies and to determine what specificities correlate with protection.

Vaccine

Second, is the laboratory technically capable of accurate testing and with what sensitivity and specificity?

Breast Cancer Research

Missy Graff I think specificity has a lot to do with what makes something funny — the particular example, if it's the right one, is always funnier than a general concept.

The New Yorker

Yet he knew its directedness and "specificity" failed to permit the freedom to connect with what he loved most.

The Guardian

But does anyone understand with specificity what brought on the financial meltdown?

The New York Times

"We don't know with specificity what they will recommend," said Senator Olympia Snowe, Republican of Maine.

The New York Times

But she has made no public appearances since a prayer service the morning after the inauguration, given no media interviews as first lady and has not indicated with any specificity what she has planned for her new role.

The Washington Post

As for open discussions of race and class: I've never met a Southerner, black or white, who could not tell you with great specificity what class of people they came from, whether it was redneck prole, coastal aristocracy, black bourgeoisie, trailer trash, plain old country people or whatever.

The New York Times

According to Mr. Tully, "after a pause, Daniels added with disappointment, 'Romney doesn't talk that way.' " Mr. Daniels also had some advice for Mr. Romney: "Go ahead and have the confidence in the voters to explain the fix we're in and then tell them with some specificity what we can do to get out of it in a way that's good for everybody," he said.

The New York Times

It's always hard to know what this would mean precisely, since vows to repeal Obamacare usually come with promises to replace it, and Republican leaders can never explain, with any specificity, what that replacement would entail.

Huffington Post

I do not know with any specificity what good things might come from the practice of being in right relationships, but I am convinced that achieving better results requires that we do something different.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with what specificity" when you need someone to elaborate on the exact details or level of precision required for a task or explanation.

Common error

Don't use "with what specificity" if you're not genuinely interested in detailed information; otherwise, you might overwhelm the recipient with unnecessary data. Be sure to clarify your need for detailed specifics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with what specificity" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It seeks to clarify the degree of detail or precision required in a particular situation. Ludwig AI suggests that it is a grammatically correct phrase usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with what specificity" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for requesting detailed clarification. While not extremely common, as noted by Ludwig, it serves a valuable purpose in formal and professional settings where precision is key. Alternatives like "how precisely" or "in what detail" can be used in more informal contexts. Remember to use this phrase when you genuinely need detailed information to avoid overwhelming others. Keep in mind that "with what specificity" is considered correct and usable in written English, although its frequency might be low, its role in ensuring clarity remains significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to what extent specifically

Emphasizes the degree to which something is specific, adding a layer of quantification.

how precisely

Focuses on the accuracy and exactness of the information.

with what precision

Highlights the accuracy and fineness of detail.

in what detail

Directly asks about the amount of detail provided.

how meticulously

Emphasizes the thoroughness and care in providing details.

to what degree of exactness

Focuses on the level of accuracy and correctness.

with what level of granularity

Highlights the fineness and depth of the detail.

how explicitly

Focuses on the clarity and directness of the information.

in what particulars

Asks for specific items or details.

how comprehensively

Focuses on the completeness and thoroughness of the details.

FAQs

How can I use "with what specificity" in a sentence?

You can use "with what specificity" to ask for the level of detail required. For instance, "Can you explain "with what specificity" you would like the report to be formatted?"

What does "with what specificity" mean?

The phrase "with what specificity" means to what degree of detail or precision. It's asking for clarification on how detailed something should be.

Which is more appropriate, "with what specificity" or "how specific"?

Both are correct, but "with what specificity" is often used in more formal contexts, while "how specific" is more common in informal settings. The choice depends on the tone and audience.

What are some alternative phrases for "with what specificity"?

You can use alternatives like "how precisely", "in what detail", or "to what extent specifically" depending on the context.