Precisely the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Precisely the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to affirm or clarify that a particular thought or concept is exactly what was intended or discussed. Example: "When you mentioned the importance of teamwork, I thought, 'Precisely the idea I was trying to convey.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But that seems to have been precisely the idea.

The Economist

This is precisely the idea that lies at the heart of the Rind meta-analysis.

The New Yorker

It was a chilling testament to the power of a photo: precisely the idea that Hadjithomas and Joreige have been mining onscreen and in their art.

The New Yorker

This was precisely the idea laid out by the partnership in its 1987 prospectus, "New Life for a Midtown Business District".

The New York Times

That's precisely the idea, though: "Uh Huh Her" is full of songs that could be barbaric yawps or ironic poses, depending on how you hear them.

The New York Times - Arts

Or, more precisely, the idea of having eaten them, since in most instances he's trying not to think about what it is he's forcing down.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Rio made one specific contribution of potentially massive consequence when it comes precisely to the idea of citizenship, namely the Rio Dialogues.

The New York Times

Mr. Ferrell could not pinpoint more precisely where the idea for the movie came from, except to say it had been bouncing around his head for several years.

The New York Times

He argued that the fact that "there was no luxury in Batumi" was precisely why the idea of a Trump Tower was so smart.

The New Yorker

Or, more precisely, with the idea that animates the system: that you should pay executives according to their performance.Performance-related pay has been a relatively recent innovation in American boardrooms.

The Economist

But what precisely was the idea in apologizing to Abdullah and then going out and announcing that he'd apologized to Abdullah?" And then, it is worth noting that Bush said he is equally sorry that people have misinterpreted what happened.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Precisely the idea" to clearly affirm a concept or suggestion made in a discussion or text. It demonstrates strong agreement and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "Precisely the idea" excessively in highly formal writing; alternatives like "That is correct" or "Indeed" might be more suitable for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Precisely the idea" functions as an emphatic affirmation or agreement. It confirms that a previously mentioned thought or concept aligns perfectly with the speaker's understanding or intention. Ludwig AI shows the phrase appears in different contexts, reinforcing this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Precisely the idea" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphatically affirm agreement with a previously stated thought or concept. As Ludwig AI shows, it frequently appears in news, media, and scientific contexts, signalling strong concurrence. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal settings; more formal alternatives should be considered for academic or highly professional writing. Remember to use this phrase to clearly convey your understanding and agreement, but avoid overuse to maintain a balanced tone in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exactly the concept

Replaces "idea" with "concept" maintaining precise agreement.

That's precisely what's intended

Clarifies intention with stronger emphasis on what was meant.

That's the exact point

Substitutes "precisely the idea" with a more direct expression of agreement.

That is just what I mean

Emphasizes the speaker's intention and alignment with the idea.

That's perfectly it

Offers a simpler and more emphatic affirmation.

That aligns perfectly with what I think

Indicates a perfect correspondence in thought.

That's the very thing

Highlights the specific aspect or element being agreed upon.

That hits the nail on the head

Uses an idiom to convey accurate understanding and agreement.

That captures it perfectly

Emphasizes how well something represents the intended idea.

That's the long and short of it

Summarizes that the explanation given before it's exactly correct.

FAQs

How can I use "Precisely the idea" in a sentence?

"Precisely the idea" is used to express agreement or confirmation of a thought or concept. For example: "When you suggested focusing on customer satisfaction, I thought, 'That's "precisely the idea"!'"

What's a more formal way to say "Precisely the idea"?

In formal settings, you could use phrases like "That is correct", "Indeed", or "That aligns with the intended approach" instead of ""precisely the idea"".

Is it appropriate to use "Precisely the idea" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, ""precisely the idea"" might be too informal for academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "That accurately reflects the concept" or "That is consistent with the theory".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "Precisely the idea"?

Similar phrases include "Exactly the point", "That's perfectly it", and "That is just what I mean", all of which express agreement or confirmation.