at that very spot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at that very spot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific location or point in a narrative or description, often emphasizing the significance of that location. Example: "As I stood there, I remembered the moment we first met at that very spot by the old oak tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In July, his father, Jamal, had been arrested by the soldiers at that very spot.

The New York Times

It was at that very spot on 53rd Street, then, that the girl-group sound was hatched.

The Guardian - Music

He recalled swimming through the water at that very spot, South Robertson and Cadiz streets, three years ago.

The New York Times

As likely as not, some among them were wearing treasures unearthed at that very spot, or at another of the sprawling markets plunked down around town.

The New York Times

God only knows what took place at that very spot in the middle of the twentieth century, a couple hundred years later.

Huffington Post

Each of the posters on Market Street contains a QR code, which viewers can use to access Historypin's mobile app and view historic photos from their current location or post their own photos taken at that very spot.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The moment you open your mouth to say a prayer, whether alone at home, or with a few friends, or with a congregation of hundreds at the National Bahá'í Temple in Wilmette, Illinois, that very spot becomes a sacred space for worship of God.

BBC

The prince recounted saying his prayers on that very spot at the mehrab, too, during his visit in the 1980s when the authorities gave him special permission.

HuffPost

Corralled behind barricades that implicitly acknowledge that a terrorist attack could happen again at this very spot?

The New York Times

Hawaii's Bali Hai Another Kaua'i view Here on Lumahai Beach you can wash that man right outta your hair at the very spot where Mitzi Gaynor did likewise in 1958.

Huffington Post

Ray told him that the Andromeda had run into a rock at the very spot they were sailing in and had sunk without a trace.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at that very spot" to highlight the significance of a particular location in your narrative. It adds emphasis and can create a sense of importance or connection to the event being described.

Common error

Avoid using "at that very spot" when a simpler phrase like "there" or "at that place" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at that very spot" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the location of an action or event. Ludwig shows it is often used to emphasize the importance or relevance of a particular place.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at that very spot" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the location of an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common use in news and media, although it can also appear in other contexts. While effective for adding emphasis, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Alternatives include "in that precise location" or "right there", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in that very place

Similar in meaning, but uses 'place' which is a more general term than 'spot'.

in that precise location

Emphasizes exactness of location, using 'precise' for greater accuracy.

on that exact site

Replaces 'spot' with 'site', which can imply a more developed or significant location.

at the precise location

More formal and technical, emphasizing accuracy in pinpointing a place.

at that specific point

Uses 'point' to denote a particular place or moment, suitable for both physical and abstract contexts.

on that particular ground

Replaces 'spot' with 'ground', suggesting a specific area or reason.

at the selfsame location

Uses "selfsame" to amplify the idea of the location being exactly the same.

right there

A more casual and direct way of indicating a specific place.

right on that location

A more colloquial alternative emphasizing the immediacy and specificity of the location.

exactly there

Simplifies the phrase, retaining the emphasis on exactness.

FAQs

How can I use "at that very spot" in a sentence?

You can use "at that very spot" to emphasize a location where something significant happened, like "He was arrested "at that very spot" where his father had been arrested years before".

What can I say instead of "at that very spot"?

Alternatives include "in that precise location", "on that exact site", or simply "right there", depending on the context.

Is "at that very spot" formal or informal?

"At that very spot" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal writing, although overuse can make it sound dramatic.

What's the difference between "at that spot" and "at that very spot"?

The addition of "very" in "at that very spot" adds emphasis, highlighting the specific location and potentially its significance, making it more impactful than simply saying "at that spot".