and exactly so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and exactly so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize agreement or to confirm that something is precisely as stated. Example: "The results of the experiment were as we predicted, and exactly so, they align with our initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As could be expected, selectively is inversely correlated with sensitivity, and exactly so for the SwissProt search, as can be seen when the ranks of method sensitivity (number of hits) are compared to the selectivity ranks.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In addition, there is a need to match estimated lifetimes more and more exactly, so it is important to predict accurately the effective stresses on mechanical parts.

Procedia CIRP

Somewhere in the book I have someone say "Gregory is being educated like a prince," and that was exactly so.

The New Yorker

Yes, exactly so — and who now wants to step up with a wayd-a-minnit objection, claiming that Madison Bumgarner, though he actually emerged from there — we saw him — did not exactly represent the Giants' bullpen last night?

The New Yorker

"Good software let's you modify your outline and tailor the plan exactly so it is uniquely yours, but it also gives you ways to re-use examples and samples.

Forbes

The retinal image was almost the same between the pursuit and fixation conditions at the middle of a stimulus sequence, but not exactly so before and after the target presentation since both ends of the arrays were always fixed on the display screen.

Plosone

"I make exactly enough so that you don't hate me and exactly enough so that you won't call me a bum," Baker says.

The New Yorker

Exactly so.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Cigarette?" Exactly so.

The New Yorker

TB: Exactly so.

The Guardian

In the present, everything is exactly so.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and exactly so" to emphatically confirm a previous statement, particularly when emphasizing the precision or accuracy of the information.

Common error

Avoid using "and exactly so" in casual conversations; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "exactly" or "that's right" in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and exactly so" functions as an emphatic affirmation or confirmation. It is used to express strong agreement with a previous statement, highlighting its accuracy or precision. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and exactly so" is a phrase used to emphatically confirm a previous statement, highlighting its accuracy. While grammatically correct, as noted by Ludwig, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual contexts where it might sound overly formal. Its primary function is to reinforce certainty and agreement, and it finds application across both news and scientific writing. Alternatives include "precisely so" and "just so", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely so

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

just so

A shorter, more informal way to express agreement or confirmation.

that's right

A common and direct way to indicate agreement.

indeed

A more formal way to express agreement or confirmation.

absolutely

Emphasizes strong agreement.

that is correct

A more explicit and formal way to confirm something.

you're right

Directly acknowledges the correctness of someone else's statement.

verily

An archaic and emphatic way to express truth or agreement.

so it is

Reverses the order of words for emphasis.

even so

Acknowledges a previous point but introduces a contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "and exactly so" in a sentence?

Use "and exactly so" to strongly affirm something that has just been stated, emphasizing its accuracy. For instance, "The data confirms our initial hypothesis, and exactly so, aligns with our predictive models."

What does "and exactly so" mean?

"And exactly so" is an emphatic way of saying "yes, that's precisely correct". It's used to confirm something with a sense of certainty and agreement.

Which is more appropriate: "and exactly so" or "precisely so"?

Both "and exactly so" and "precisely so" convey agreement, but the former has a slightly less formal tone due to the addition of "and". The choice depends on the formality of your context.

Are there alternatives to "and exactly so" for more casual conversation?

Yes, in less formal situations, you can use alternatives like "exactly", "that's right", or "just so" to convey agreement without sounding overly formal.