But where precisely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But where precisely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when seeking clarification about a specific location or detail in a conversation or text. Example: "I understand your point, but where precisely do you think we should meet?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But where, precisely, has Ms. Kagan been during the legal whirlwinds of the last few years, as issues like executive power, same-sex marriage, the rights of the accused and proper application of the death penalty have raged through the courts?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The measure to restrict Newstart books a budget saving of $1.2bn over the forward estimates – so the contingency monies can be extracted from this saving – but from where, precisely, in a program sense?

The Guardian

But analysis gets you where, precisely?

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems like an actual physical expansion may come soon, but there are mixed messages about where precisely that might be.

TechCrunch

We still did not know which type of bacteria, or where precisely it was located, but we knew there was an infection.

The New York Times - Magazine

But they also face the challenge of where precisely to draw another line, namely, the line around what counts as "results".

SEP

Sometimes that's useful, particularly if it's difficult to tell where precisely you have to turn, but often it is terribly irritating.

The Guardian - Tech

Burnside's account of this harrowing journey is written in plain language, but when we're finished there's some doubt as to where, precisely, we have been.

The New York Times - Books

Where precisely do they visit?

The Guardian

Where, precisely, is the Copyright Act "applicable"?

Harvard University

Where precisely did the money come from?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "But where precisely" when you want to politely but firmly request a more specific answer or location. It's suitable for situations where general information isn't enough.

Common error

Avoid using "But where precisely" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or even slightly accusatory if a simpler "Where exactly?" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "But where precisely" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a question that seeks clarification or greater specificity regarding a location, point, or detail. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "But where precisely" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions as a conjunction to seek clarification or greater specificity. Ludwig AI underlines its correctness. While more common in neutral to professional contexts like news, academia, and science, it should be used cautiously in very informal settings to avoid sounding overly formal. Alternatives like "But where exactly" may be more suitable in those cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

But where exactly

Replaces "precisely" with "exactly", offering a slightly less formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

But where specifically

Substitutes "precisely" with "specifically", emphasizing the need for detailed information.

But in what exact location

Rephrases the question to focus on physical location, adding emphasis with "exact".

But at what precise location

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "precise" instead of "exact".

However, at which specific point

Introduces a contrast with "however" and uses "specific point" for a more abstract location.

Nevertheless, in which particular area

Starts with "nevertheless" and uses "particular area", broadening the scope slightly.

Yet, where in particular

Begins with "yet" and uses "in particular" to highlight the need for specification.

Though where might that be

Changes the phrasing to a more indirect question, using "might that be" for a softer tone.

Although, which place more precisely

Adds "although" for contrast and rephrases to emphasize precision.

Granted, on which spot especially

Uses "granted" to acknowledge a previous point, then focuses on a specific "spot".

FAQs

How can I use "But where precisely" in a sentence?

You can use "But where precisely" to ask for a more specific location or detail after a general statement. For example, "I know the meeting is in the conference room, but where precisely are we meeting?"

What is a less formal alternative to "But where precisely"?

Alternatives like "But where exactly" or "But where specifically" are less formal options that convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "But where precisely"?

While grammatically correct, using "But where precisely" in very informal settings can sound overly formal or even a bit stiff. Consider your audience and the context.

What's the difference between "But where precisely" and "But where exactly"?

The difference is subtle. "But where precisely" emphasizes a need for pinpoint accuracy, whereas "But where exactly" is slightly more general, simply requesting a specific location or detail.