and precisely when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and precisely when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify a particular time or moment in a discussion or narrative. Example: "I need to know the details of the event, including the location and precisely when it will take place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Because they can send a flurry of text-messages explaining where they are, how fast they're moving and precisely when they'll arrive, down to the minute.

The New York Times - Magazine

What Mr. Mozilo, now 71, knew about Countrywide's problems, and precisely when he knew it, was what eventually led the Securities and Exchange Commission to file civil securities fraud charges against him last year.

The New York Times

(Too tall)." Everett is not only a good raconteur, he has musicality – he knows how and precisely when to turn elegy to jazz with a roguish blue-note of bathos.

The Guardian - Books

In shooting down three planes that April day in 1942, Lieutenant Morehead engaged the enemy in a calculated, deadly dance much as he had done with his boyhood quarry, reckoning when to lead, when to follow and precisely when to strike.

The New York Times

Otherwise, the scientists say, valuable entries in the earth's book of life will be lost forever, including information about exactly where the fossils were found, what geological formation the creatures were in, how they were lying in the ground, how they were discovered and precisely when they lived, not to mention what surrounded them at death.

The New York Times - Science

As a schoolboy, Wang regularly observed the cooking technique of a particular char kway teow hawker, and he remains loyal to that hawker's son — a vender who had learned well from his father, Wang explained, how to cook the noodles in lard to keep them from sticking and how to make his stock from prawns and squid and precisely when to sprinkle on white pepper.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

By only allowing for investment grade purchases, the ECB has left open the possibility that its support of credit conditions in Portugal could cease precisely when it is needed most--and precisely when a typical national central bank would step up its actions to ease financial conditions.

Huffington Post

The ninth right question: Why is it some of our leaders would use this American tragedy to try and keep us from thinking clearly and dispassionately precisely when we most need to?

Huffington Post

It represented the "dark side" of social transformation, an activity associated with "imagination, solitude and excess" precisely when those concepts were "newly important and newly worrisome".

The New York Times - Books

She puts palpable feeling into reinvention anthem Brand New Me, and knows precisely when to hold back so the crowd sing along with Fallin'.

The Guardian - Music

This is unduly pessimistic; a history of British house prices tells you how they remained flat through much of the 1950s and early 1960s, precisely when supply was at its most vigorous – around 400,000 units a year at its peak.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and precisely when" to add emphasis to the exact timing of an event or action. This phrase is effective when accuracy in timing is crucial to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "and precisely when" in overly casual conversation or writing where a less formal phrase would suffice. It can sound stilted or overly formal in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and precisely when" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the exact timing of an action or event. It adds emphasis to the accuracy and specificity of the time being referenced. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "and precisely when" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the exact timing of an event or action. Ludwig confirms this, indicating it is suitable for contexts where accuracy in timing is important. While it appears most frequently in news and media sources, it is also found in scientific and formal business contexts, suggesting a generally neutral to formal register. To avoid sounding stilted, consider using less formal alternatives like "and right when" in casual settings. Overall, "and precisely when" serves to eliminate ambiguity and provide clarity about the timing of an event, making it a valuable phrase in specific scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and at the exact moment

Replaces 'precisely' with 'exact', emphasizing accuracy but altering the structure slightly.

and at the specific time

Substitutes 'precisely' with 'specific', focusing on particularity rather than pinpoint accuracy.

and at the accurate time

Replaces 'precisely' with 'accurate', focusing on the correctness of the timing.

and at the appointed hour

More formal alternative, suggesting a pre-arranged or scheduled time.

and just as

This is a more concise alternative, appropriate when the 'when' is already implied.

and at the very instant

Emphasizes the immediacy and accuracy of the timing using 'instant'.

and right when

A more informal alternative, emphasizing immediacy.

and when exactly

Inverts the structure slightly to emphasize the question of timing.

and upon that occasion

A more formal and somewhat archaic phrasing suitable for historical or literary contexts.

and upon that moment

Formal phrasing suggesting a specific, significant point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "and precisely when" in a sentence?

Use "and precisely when" to specify a particular time or moment with emphasis on accuracy. For example, "I need to know the location "and precisely when" the event will take place."

What can I say instead of "and precisely when"?

Alternatives include "and at the exact moment", "and at the specific time", or "and just as", depending on the context.

Is "and precisely when" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "and precisely when" is suitable for formal writing as it indicates a need for accuracy and specificity. However, assess if alternatives such as "and at the appointed hour" might be more appropriate.

When should I avoid using "and precisely when"?

Avoid using "and precisely when" in casual conversations or informal writing where the emphasis on exact timing is unnecessary. Simpler phrases like "and right when" might be more fitting.