are exactly different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are exactly different" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used incorrectly as "exactly" implies a precise similarity rather than difference. Example: "The two theories are exactly different, which makes them hard to compare."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is because that regardless of the sender's identity, there are exactly different options to generate the SAMAC, and all of them can be chosen by the SAMAC generation procedure and by any of the members in the AS with equal probability without depending on any complexity-theoretic assumptions.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Hence, there are exactly different palindromes.

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Those who are different from you are exactly that: Different.

WikiHow

Hence, for a group of g genes there are exactly g! different strain types.

eLife

In contrast, we show that if there are exactly two players with different number of actions available to them, then it becomes impossible to design a strategic game with a unique such Nash equilibrium.

Theoretical Computer Science

Locational endurance entails multilocation: it has it that some material objects are exactly located at many different regions.

SEP

Sander: They are exactly the same thing, but different companies just call them different things.

Forbes

Albeit de-identified, each trajectory is essentially unique - very rarely two different trajectories are exactly the same given the extremely fine spatio-temporal resolution involved.

EPJ Data Science

She said that the two soaps are exactly the same, only in different sizes.

Huffington Post

The training and test data sets used by different methods are exactly the same.

BMC Genomics

Through the first 15 races of the Cup season, though, there have been exactly six different winners: Kevin Harvick, with five victories; Kyle Busch, with four; Martin Truex Jr. and Clint Bowyer, with two each, and Joey Logano and Austin Dillon, with one apiece.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "are exactly different" in formal writing. It is better to choose more appropriate expressions like "are completely different" or "are entirely distinct" to clearly convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Do not use "exactly" to describe differences. "Exactly" implies a precise similarity, not a distinction. Replace it with words that correctly indicate difference, such as "completely", "entirely", or "significantly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are exactly different" attempts to describe a state of dissimilarity, but the adverb "exactly" clashes semantically with "different". According to Ludwig, this phrase is not correct in standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are exactly different" is an oxymoron, combining the precision of "exactly" with the contrasting notion of "different". This creates a grammatically incorrect and semantically flawed expression. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not considered standard English. While the intent may be to emphasize distinction, it's best to opt for alternatives like "are completely different" or "are entirely distinct" to accurately convey your message. Despite its presence in a few sources, its infrequent and incorrect nature suggests avoiding it in favor of clearer, more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are completely different

Emphasizes a total dissimilarity, lacking any overlap or shared characteristics.

are entirely distinct

Highlights a clear and unmistakable separation between the subjects.

are significantly different

Indicates a notable and important level of difference.

are substantially different

Suggests a major difference in quantity, size, or degree.

are markedly different

Implies a noticeable and easily observable difference.

are precisely distinct

Highlights an accurate or specific distinctiveness between elements.

differ substantially

A more concise way to express a significant difference.

diverge significantly

Suggests a deviation or branching out in different directions.

are diametrically opposed

Highlights total opposition, being at opposite extremes or contrary in nature.

are poles apart

Emphasizes a complete separation or opposition, like the North and South Poles.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "are exactly different"?

Instead of "are exactly different", consider using alternatives like "are completely different", "are entirely distinct", or "are significantly different" to better convey the intended meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "are exactly different"?

No, the phrase "are exactly different" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Exactly" implies precision or sameness, which contradicts the meaning of "different". It's better to use phrases that accurately reflect the intended difference.

How can I use "different" correctly in a sentence?

Use "different" with adverbs that emphasize the degree of difference, such as "completely", "significantly", or "markedly". For example, "The results were significantly different from our initial predictions".

What's the difference between "are exactly the same" and "are exactly different"?

"Are exactly the same" implies a precise similarity, meaning the items or concepts being compared are identical. "Are exactly different" is contradictory, as "exactly" and "different" have opposing meanings. Use alternatives like "are completely different" to express dissimilarity.