To ‘specify‘ is the verb form and it means to give an example or to give details. ‘Specification‘ is the noun form. It means detailed instructions.

Examples:

• The rules specify that a person cannot own a house and receive government benefits at the same time.
• The teacher specifically told the students to have their essays ready by 2 pm.
• If you’re not sure what the duties of your position are, you should check the job specifications.

Collocations:
When you learn new vocab, make sure that you note collocations too. For this group of words some collocations are:
sex act, sex offender
shift-work
specify an amount, job specifications
suffice to say
tasked with, a big task

Check the meanings of the words if you don’t already know them. Check the meanings of the various forms as sometimes they are different. You can check them at Time4english by clicking the words (http://www.time4english.com/aamain/lounge/awl.asp).

ACADEMIC WORD LIST 35

Complete the sentences below with the correct word and the correct form of the word.

1. Did you see the job_______________ for the supervisor position? (specific, task)
2. In the future wealthier people may be _______________in energy. (shift, sufficient)
3. Did you know that there is a register of ______________ offenders? (sufficient, sex)
4. He is working the morning _______________ this week.  (sex, shift)
5. What is your_______________ in the enquiry? (task, specify)

Answers (in the wrong order below)
5. task    1. specifications     4. shift    3. sex    42. self-sufficient