Makefiles. multiple rules match a target

Makefiles. multiple rules match a target

I am using the gnu make and I have the same problem reported in when
multiple pattern rules match a target. Basically two rules, a generic one,
and a more specific one, match the same target and they are both
executed!!. I would like the more specific one to be executed ONLY. The
answer given on the above thread is basically to upgrade to gnu make 3.82.
I have version 3.81 and it is the one found very commonly with many Linux
distributions.
Is there a fix for this problem that would work with gnu make version 3.81?
Thank you in advance.