To be specific vs To be specifically

Both 'to be specific' and 'to be specifically' are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'To be specific' is more commonly used and is the correct choice when providing precise details or information. On the other hand, 'to be specifically' is less common and is used when emphasizing a particular aspect or detail.

Last updated: March 28, 2024 • 3400 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when providing precise details or information.

"To be specific"

Use 'to be specific' when you want to provide exact or detailed information about something.

Examples:

To be specific, we need the report by 3 p.m. tomorrow.
Can you be more specific about the type of assistance you need?
To be specific, the project deadline is next Friday.
I want to be specific about the requirements for the job.
To be specific, the event will start at 7 p.m.

Show examples from the web [+]

To be specific, the confidentiality waiver.
To be specific, it is 70% bamboo and 30% silk.
To be specific, Russian ratification was made contingent on the U.S. Senate ratifying a September 1997 addendum to START II which included agreed statements on demarcation of strategic versus tactical missile defences.
To be specific, Stahl has taken over all Clariant's activities in the leather sector, including production units in Germany, Italy and India, as well as laboratories present in various other places.
To be specific, these are measures which consist both of rules and of non-binding guidelines and they focus on the reception, search and rescue of people at sea.
To be specific, it accepts the principle of safeguarding the law formulated in Article 10 of the EC Treaty; in other words, the obligation of the Member States to ensure that violations of Community law attract effective criminal sanctions.
To be specific, online stores use cookies to record products in the shopping basket, favourite products, other information about purchases, etc.
To be specific, a plan is being established for the hiring of resources in the various operating units of the Group as a function of departing employees resulting from the layoff procedure.
To be specific, any third country, not just the USA, now appears to be able, merely by citing even fictitious reasons of national security, to define:
Two weeks ago, to be specific.
A surgeon, to be specific.
White paint, to be specific.
Gregg style, to be specific.
A ship, to be specific.
Three days, to be specific.
Pneumonic plague, to be specific.
Nine times, to be specific.
Right index, to be specific.
Merchants try to attract customers using different kinds of advertising materials, static posters to be specific.
Well, bragging, to be specific.

Alternatives:

specifically
in particular
to be precise
to be exact
to be clear

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English. It is used to emphasize a particular aspect or detail.

"To be specifically"

Use 'to be specifically' when you want to emphasize a particular detail or aspect of something.

Examples:

I want to be specifically clear about the terms of the agreement.
To be specifically honest, I don't think that's a good idea.
She asked me to be specifically careful with the fragile items.
To be specifically clear, we expect everyone to attend the meeting.
He mentioned the issue to be specifically related to the software.

Alternatives:

specifically
in particular
to be precise
to be exact
to be clear

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To be specific vs To be specifically

"To be specific"

"To be specifically"

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