The word "specifically" is spelled with three syllables - /spəˈsɪfɪkli/. It begins with the consonant cluster "sp" which is pronounced as /sp/, followed by the unstressed vowel "ə" or schwa sound. The stress falls on the second syllable, where the vowel "i" is pronounced as /ɪ/. The third syllable ends with the schwa sound and the consonant "k" followed by the letter "l". The final syllable consists of the unstressed vowel "i" and the consonant "y", pronounced as /li/.
Specifically is an adverb that is used to refer to something in a precise or particular manner. It indicates that the subject under discussion or the following statement is relevant and solely concerned with a particular aspect, detail, or individual. The term provides emphasis by narrowing down the focus to a specific point or target, excluding other possibilities or generalizations. It allows for clear and explicit communication, ensuring that the intended meaning is conveyed accurately.
When used in a sentence, specifically highlights the uniqueness or distinctiveness of a particular subject or situation. It signals that the information provided is explicitly tailored to address a particular context, excluding similar but unrelated scenarios. It assists in avoiding ambiguity and generalizations by directing attention towards a specific detail, which may involve time, place, characteristic, objective, or any other relevant factor.
For example, in the sentence "I need a book on evolutionary biology specifically," the word specifically indicates that the request is for a book entirely focused on evolutionary biology and no other topic. It eliminates any ambiguity that might arise if the word specifically were not used.
Overall, specifically plays a crucial role in precise communication by indicating that the following statement or context pertains exclusively to a particular subject, detail, or situation, thereby providing clarity and avoiding misinterpretation.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word specifically comes from the Latin word specificus, which is a combination of species (meaning 'kind' or 'sort') and facere (meaning 'to make'). Initially, in the late 16th century, specific was used as an adjective in English, meaning pertaining to a species or kind. The adverb form specifically evolved later and has been in use since the early 18th century, meaning in a way that is precise or exact to something particular.