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Prepositions after adjectives

Specific to, about, in, for or on?

Specific to is the standard pattern when something relates only to one thing, group, or situation.

Quick answer

How to use specific

Use specific to for something unique or limited to a particular case. Other prepositions usually belong to nearby nouns or have more limited uses.

The rule is specific to this region.
These symptoms are specific to children.
We need specific information about the project.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
specific to + thing/group

Limited or unique relation

Use to when something applies only to a particular thing or group.

The software is specific to Windows.
The tradition is specific to this village.
2
specific about + detail

Clear and detailed communication

Use about when describing how detailed someone is.

Please be specific about your requirements.
She was very specific about the deadline.
3
specific in + area

Precision in an area

In can introduce the area where precision appears.

The instructions were specific in their wording.
Researchers must be specific in reporting results.
4
specific for + purpose

Purpose-related use

For is sometimes used when something is designed for a purpose.

This tool is specific for medical testing.
The training is specific for emergency staff.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
specific to
The policy is specific to part-time employees.
Standard and very common for limited applicability.
specific about
He was specific about the budget.
Detailed or precise regarding a topic.
specific in
The report is specific in its recommendations.
Focused precision in an area or aspect.
specific for
This cream is specific for dry skin.
Possible in technical or product contexts, though designed for is often more natural.
specific on
The guide is specific on safety procedures.
Less natural than specific about regarding a topic.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using on instead of about

About is usually more natural for topics and details.

✕ She was specific on the schedule. ✓ She was specific about the schedule.

Using for instead of to for limitation

Use specific to when something applies only to one group or case.

✕ The issue is specific for teenagers. ✓ The issue is specific to teenagers.

Overusing in

In works only in certain contexts about precision or wording.

✕ The law is specific in this country. ✓ The law is specific to this country.

Forgetting the topic after about

Specific about normally needs a following topic.

✕ He was specific about. ✓ He was specific about the instructions.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The procedure is specific ___ this laboratory.
2. Please be specific ___ your concerns.
3. The report was specific ___ its recommendations.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most common preposition after specific?

Specific to is the standard pattern for something limited to a certain case or group.

Can I say specific about?

Yes. It means detailed or precise regarding a topic.

Is specific on wrong?

It is less natural in many contexts. Specific about is usually preferred.

sacred-to-in-by-of, for "sad for" or "sad about"? "safe for", "safe from" or "safe in"? sanguine about, in, of, on or for? "satisfactory to" or "satisfactory for"? satisfied with, of, by, in or on? "satisfying for" or "satisfying to"? scarce in, for, at, on or of? scared of, to, about, for or by? "scary for" or "scary to"? "scathing about", "scathing in" or "scathing of"? "sceptical about" or "sceptical of"?

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