specifying
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.naming or describing something exactly so that people know exactly what you mean.
v.the present participle of 'specify', used to indicate the act of identifying a requirement or detail with precision.
Simple“The contract was very clear, specifying exactly when the work had to be finished.”
In context“The architect submitted the final blueprints, specifying the exact grade of steel required for the structural supports.”
UsageOften followed by a 'that' clause or a direct object.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.the act of giving clear and exact information about something.
n.the gerund form used as a noun to denote the process of stating or describing something with exactness.
Simple“Specifying the right materials at the start of the project saved us a lot of money.”
In context“The careful specifying of technical requirements is essential before any procurement process begins.”
UsageFunctions as the subject or object of a sentence.
Teacher's tipIn formal writing, the noun 'specification' is more common than the gerund 'specifying' for the result of the process.
Synonyms
“If you want one in an official taxi, it’s best to order one in advance specifying this or bring your own.”
“A key concept to understanding security mechanisms is a threat model specifying the problem it is and isn’t intended to solve.”
From Middle English specifieng, equivalent to specify + -ing.
From Middle English specifienge, equivalent to specify + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.