Specify vs. Indicate — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 17, 2024
Specify entails detailing explicit requirements or characteristics, focusing on precision; whereas, indicate involves suggesting or pointing out more generally without detail.
Difference Between Specify and Indicate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Specify requires one to provide clear, detailed, and exact information or instructions, making it crucial in contexts like technical specifications or legal agreements. On the other hand, indicate allows for a more general expression, hinting at or suggesting something without the need for detailed data, useful in informal communications or early stages of planning.
In software development, to specify means to define precise parameters or behaviors of a system, essential for creating functional requirements. Whereas, to indicate in the same context might simply mean highlighting potential features or ideas without committing to specific implementations.
When writing a research paper, an author needs to specify sources and methods explicitly to ensure reproducibility and accuracy. Conversely, they might indicate potential areas for further study or broad conclusions, which require less precision and are more speculative in nature.
In customer service, specifying might involve providing a customer with exact steps for resolving a technical issue, ensuring clarity and efficiency. Indicate, however, might be used to guide a customer towards various options or general advice, allowing for a broader interpretation.
Legal documents strictly require specifying terms and conditions to avoid ambiguities and enforce agreements effectively. Indicate, in legal terms, might be used more loosely to suggest interpretations or future possibilities without binding precision.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To state or describe precisely.
To show, point out, or make known in a general way.
Usage in Speech
Directive and detailed.
Suggestive and less detailed.
Contextual Usage
Essential in technical, legal, and scientific contexts.
Common in everyday, informal, or initial-stage discussions.
Connotation
Conveys exactness and clarity.
Implies a hint or suggestion.
Example of Usage
"The architect specified the dimensions in the blueprint."
"The signs indicate the exit routes."
Compare with Definitions
Specify
To clearly identify an element or requirement.
Please specify your dietary preferences.
Indicate
To signal a condition or existence.
The symptoms indicate a possible infection.
Specify
To designate something for a specific purpose.
We need to specify a date for the meeting.
Indicate
To reference indirectly through evidence or signs.
The data indicates a growing trend.
Specify
To insist on a particular thing or part.
She specified that she wanted her room painted green.
Indicate
To point out something or someone.
The signpost indicates the right direction.
Specify
To include explicit terms in a document or conversation.
The agreement specifies all the duties involved.
Indicate
To suggest or imply something indirectly.
His tone indicated he was unhappy.
Specify
To detail particular attributes or stipulations.
The contract specifies the deadlines for each phase.
Indicate
To show a measurement or reading.
The gauge indicates full pressure.
Specify
To state explicitly or in detail
Specified the amount needed.
Specified what was wrong with the program.
Indicate
To show the way to or the direction of; point out
An arrow indicating north.
Indicated the right road by nodding toward it.
Specify
To include in a specification.
Indicate
To serve as a sign, symptom, or token of; signify
"The cracking and booming of the ice indicate a change of temperature" (Henry David Thoreau).
Specify
To determine or bring about (a specific result)
A gene that specifies the synthesis of a single protein.
Indicate
To suggest or demonstrate the necessity, expedience, or advisability of
The symptoms indicate immediate surgery.
Specify
(transitive) To state explicitly, or in detail, or as a condition.
Indicate
To state or express briefly
Indicated his wishes in a letter.
Indicating her approval with a nod.
Specify
(transitive) To include in a specification.
Indicate
To point out; to discover; to direct to a knowledge of; to show; to make known.
The guard blew his whistle to indicate imminent departure.
Specify
(transitive) To bring about a specific result.
Indicate
To show or manifest by symptoms; to point to as the proper remedies.
Great prostration of strength indicates the use of stimulants.
Specify
To speak explicitly or in detail (often used with of).
Indicate
To signal in a vehicle the desire to turn right or left.
Specify
To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things; as, to specify the uses of a plant; to specify articles purchased.
He has there given us an exact geography of Greece, where the countries and the uses of their soils are specified.
Indicate
To investigate the condition or power of, as of steam engine, by means of an indicator.
Specify
Specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement;
The will stipulates that she can live in the house for the rest of her life
The contract stipulates the dates of the payments
Indicate
To point out; to discover; to direct to a knowledge of; to show; to make known.
That turns and turns to indicateFrom what point blows the weather.
Specify
Determine the essential quality of
Indicate
To show or manifest by symptoms; to point to as the proper remedies; as, great prostration of strength indicates the use of stimulants. Opposite of contraindicate.
Specify
Decide upon or fix definitely;
Fix the variables
Specify the parameters
Indicate
To investigate the condition or power of, as of steam engine, by means of an indicator.
Specify
Be specific about;
Could you please specify your criticism of my paper?
Indicate
Be a signal for or a symptom of;
These symptoms indicate a serious illness
Her behavior points to a severe neurosis
The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued
Specify
Define clearly;
I cannot narrow down the rules for this game
Indicate
Indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively;
I showed the customer the glove section
He pointed to the empty parking space
He indicated his opponents
Specify
Design or destine;
She was intended to become the director
Indicate
To state or express briefly;
Indicated his wishes in a letter
Specify
Select something or someone for a specific purpose;
The teacher assigned him to lead his classmates in the exercise
Indicate
Give evidence of;
The evidence argues for your claim
The results indicate the need for more work
Indicate
Suggest the necessity of an intervention; in medicine;
Tetracycline is indicated in such cases
Common Curiosities
Why is it important to specify in legal documents?
It is crucial to avoid ambiguity and ensure all parties understand the obligations and rights precisely.
How does indicate differ from suggest?
Indicate is more about showing or pointing to something, whereas suggest is about proposing or implying.
What does it mean when symptoms indicate a disease?
It means the symptoms are signs or markers pointing to the presence of the disease.
What is the role of specification in project management?
It defines exact project requirements and scopes, ensuring clear understanding and expectations.
Can "specify" and "indicate" be used interchangeably?
No, specify implies exact details, while indicate is more about giving a general idea or direction.
How do instructions differ when they specify vs. when they indicate?
Instructions that specify provide detailed steps, while those that indicate give a general guide.
What does it mean to specify a requirement?
Specifying a requirement means stating it explicitly and clearly to avoid misunderstandings.
What does it mean to specify in a recipe?
It means to detail the exact quantities and types of ingredients needed.
How does an indicator function in machinery?
It provides visual or other cues about the operation or status of the machine.
Why might someone use indicate rather than specify in communication?
Indicate allows for a more general expression, useful in informal communications or early stages of planning.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
