What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
concreteness
Example
The concreteness of the sculpture made it feel like it could come to life. [concreteness: noun]
Example
The teacher used concrete examples to help the students understand the concept. [concrete: adjective]
specificity
Example
The instructions for the experiment were very specific and left no room for interpretation. [specificity: noun]
Example
She asked for a specific type of flower for her bouquet. [specific: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Specificity is more commonly used than concreteness in everyday language. Specificity is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while concreteness is less common and more specific to certain types of writing or communication.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between concreteness and specificity?
Both concreteness and specificity can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, specificity is more commonly used in technical or scientific writing, which tends to be more formal.