In 15 Seconds
- Used for something glaringly clear in a very specific way.
- Perfect for pointing out specific details in professional or academic settings.
- Avoid for general 'obvious' statements; it needs a specific focus.
Meaning
This phrase describes something that is glaringly clear, but only when you look at one very particular detail or context. It is about precision in clarity—not just generally obvious, but obvious in a targeted, surgical way.
Key Examples
3 of 6Reviewing a financial report with a colleague
L'erreur de calcul est spécifiquement évidente dans cette colonne.
The calculation error is specifically obvious in this column.
Discussing a friend's very specific crush
C'est spécifiquement évident quand il te regarde.
It is specifically obvious when he looks at you.
A teacher giving feedback on an essay
Votre talent pour la poésie est spécifiquement évident dans l'introduction.
Your talent for poetry is specifically obvious in the introduction.
Cultural Background
In French corporate culture, 'spécifiquement évident' is often used in performance reviews to soften a blow by focusing on a specific task rather than the person's character. In Quebec, you might hear 'c'est clair' more often in casual speech, but 'spécifiquement évident' remains the standard for formal media and academic writing. Swiss French speakers value precision highly. This phrase is very common in technical manuals and watchmaking critiques. In formal West African French, high-level collocations like this are used to show educational status and respect for the language's analytical power.
Sound like a Critic
Use this phrase when giving feedback on a project to show you've looked at the details, not just the whole.
Watch the Agreement
Always check if the thing you are describing is feminine. 'La solution est évidente' (with an 'e').
In 15 Seconds
- Used for something glaringly clear in a very specific way.
- Perfect for pointing out specific details in professional or academic settings.
- Avoid for general 'obvious' statements; it needs a specific focus.
What It Means
Imagine you are looking at a complex map. Most of it is a blur of lines and colors. Suddenly, you spot one bright red icon. That icon is spécifiquement évident. It means something is undeniable, but only within a narrow scope. You aren't just saying something is clear; you are saying it is clear for a very specific reason. It is the opposite of a broad generalization. You are pointing your finger at a single, undeniable truth that others might have missed. It feels precise and intellectual. It’s the kind of phrase that makes you sound like you’ve really done your homework.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this with the verb être, as in C'est spécifiquement évident. It functions as an adverb-adjective pair to modify a situation or a fact. You can use it to introduce a specific piece of evidence. For example, you might say, "The problem is spécifiquement évident in the third paragraph." It works best when you follow it up with a "why." It’s a great way to transition from a general observation to a specific critique. You can also use it to highlight someone's specific behavior or a unique flaw in a plan.
When To Use It
This is a fantastic phrase for professional environments. Use it during a meeting when you’ve found a specific error in a report. It’s also great for academic writing or serious debates. In your personal life, use it when you want to be a bit cheeky about a friend's very specific habit. For instance, if your friend always buys the same obscure brand of tea, you could say their preference is spécifiquement évident. It’s perfect for moments where a detail stands out like a sore thumb against a background of noise.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for "Duh!" moments. If someone tells you the sky is blue, do not say it is spécifiquement évident. That sounds overly robotic and a bit pretentious. In those cases, a simple C'est évident or Bien sûr is much better. Also, avoid it in very high-energy, slang-heavy environments. If you are at a loud party, this phrase might make you sound like a professor who accidentally wandered into a club. It requires a bit of focus to be appreciated.
Cultural Background
France is the birthplace of Cartesian logic. The French culture deeply values "la clarté" (clarity) and "la précision." Using an adverb like spécifiquement shows that you are thinking critically. It’s not enough to just see the truth; you must see exactly where the truth lies. This phrase reflects the French educational emphasis on breaking down arguments into specific parts. It’s a small linguistic nod to the idea that the devil—and the truth—is in the details.
Common Variations
If you want to vary your vocabulary, you can try particulièrement évident, which means "particularly obvious." Another good one is clairement manifeste, which sounds a bit more formal and legal. If you are in a more casual setting and something is very obvious, you might just say C'est flagrant. For a more technical vibe, you could use précisément visible. Each of these shifts the focus slightly, but spécifiquement évident remains the king of targeted clarity.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits in the neutral-to-formal register. It is highly effective in analytical contexts but can sound slightly stiff if overused in casual, everyday chatter.
Sound like a Critic
Use this phrase when giving feedback on a project to show you've looked at the details, not just the whole.
Watch the Agreement
Always check if the thing you are describing is feminine. 'La solution est évidente' (with an 'e').
Examples
6L'erreur de calcul est spécifiquement évidente dans cette colonne.
The calculation error is specifically obvious in this column.
Points out a precise location of a mistake.
C'est spécifiquement évident quand il te regarde.
It is specifically obvious when he looks at you.
Uses the phrase to highlight a specific recurring action.
Votre talent pour la poésie est spécifiquement évident dans l'introduction.
Your talent for poetry is specifically obvious in the introduction.
Provides targeted praise.
C'est spécifiquement évident sur le côté gauche, désolé !
It's specifically obvious on the left side, sorry!
Honest but focused feedback via text.
Le coupable était spécifiquement évident dès la première scène.
The culprit was specifically obvious from the very first scene.
Discussing a specific moment of clarity in a plot.
Ta fatigue est spécifiquement évidente dans le ton de ta voix.
Your fatigue is specifically obvious in the tone of your voice.
Noticing a specific sign of emotion or physical state.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'évident'.
La réussite de ce projet est spécifiquement _________ dans les chiffres de vente.
'La réussite' is feminine singular, so 'évidente' is required.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a professional context?
Choose the best option:
Option B uses the phrase to point out a specific detail (lack of salt) in a specific context (the soup).
Match the observation to the context where 'spécifiquement évident' fits best.
Context: A movie review discussing a director's style.
Pointing out a specific stylistic choice (shadows) is the perfect use for this phrase.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesLa réussite de ce projet est spécifiquement _________ dans les chiffres de vente.
'La réussite' is feminine singular, so 'évidente' is required.
Choose the best option:
Option B uses the phrase to point out a specific detail (lack of salt) in a specific context (the soup).
Context: A movie review discussing a director's style.
Pointing out a specific stylistic choice (shadows) is the perfect use for this phrase.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsIt's more common in professional or analytical settings than in a grocery store. Use it when you want to be precise.
Yes, but usually to describe a trait of that person. 'Sa gentillesse est spécifiquement évidente quand il aide les autres.'
Related Phrases
particulièrement flagrant
synonymParticularly glaring
clairement identifiable
similarClearly identifiable
à l'évidence
builds onEvidently / Obviously
