What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
specifically
Example
She specifically asked for a vegan meal. [specifically: adverb]
Example
The instructions were specifically designed for beginners. [specifically: adverb]
precisely
Example
The measurements need to be precisely accurate. [precisely: adverb]
Example
He knew precisely what he wanted to say. [precisely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Specifically is more commonly used than precisely in everyday language. Specifically is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while precisely is less common and is often used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between specifically and precisely?
Precisely is typically associated with a more technical or scientific tone, while specifically can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
