been spot on

USAGE SUMMARY

"been spot on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is completely accurate. For example: "I have to give him credit, his predictions of the market have been spot on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Their youth policy is working, as evidenced by the emergence of young local talents such as Benoît Trémoulinas and Grégory Sertic and their recruitment has been spot on, as the yo-yo pairing of two Yoanns – Gourcuff and Gouffran – proved on Saturday night.

The Guardian - Sport

The last three or four appointments he has made have been spot on - the next one from him will be exactly the same.

BBC

Albion midfielder Andrea Orlandi told BBC Sussex after the match that Bridcutt's attitude had been "spot on" in training but his situation was one the club "needs to sort out as soon as possible".

BBC

McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, eagled the 528-yard par-five fifth alongside one bogey and one birdie and said his mental preparation had been spot on.

BBC

Throughout the competition they've been spot on".

The Guardian - Sport

"The boys have been spot on.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

His tactics have been spot-on, too.

The New Yorker

Azarenka's serve has been spot-on so far in the breaker, putting her up 2-1.

The New York Times

He had been spot-on in identifying the military; there are very few black faces in the senior ranks.

The Guardian

I've been privy to what's gone on in terms of the salary cap, and we've been spot-on.

The Guardian - Sport

Lock Bradley Davies, meanwhile, has no doubt that Wales' preparations have been spot-on for their latest attempt to floor a southern hemisphere heavyweight.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject you're describing with "been spot on" is something that can logically be assessed for accuracy, like a prediction, strategy, or piece of advice.

Common error

Avoid using "been spot on" in highly formal or academic writing. While widely understood, it's generally better suited for conversational or journalistic contexts. Opt for more formal synonyms like "accurate" or "precise" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been spot on" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject to indicate that something has been completely accurate or correct. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical status is correct and is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been spot on" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has been entirely accurate or correct. While primarily used in news and media contexts, it's generally suitable for neutral or informal settings. For more formal writing, alternative phrases like "been perfectly accurate" or "been entirely correct" may be more appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptability in general English, making it a useful addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been exactly right

Replaces "spot on" with "exactly right" to emphasize precision.

been perfectly accurate

Substitutes "spot on" with "perfectly accurate" for a more formal tone.

been entirely correct

Emphasizes the completeness of the correctness.

been completely precise

Focuses on the detailed accuracy of the statement or action.

been right on the money

Uses a more idiomatic expression with a similar meaning.

been dead on

Another idiomatic alternative, implying perfect accuracy.

been on the mark

Suggests the assessment or action was correct and effective.

been absolutely true

Highlights the truthfulness of a statement.

been accurate without a doubt

Adds emphasis to the accuracy by stating it's unquestionable.

been undeniably correct

Stresses that the correctness cannot be denied.

FAQs

How can I use "been spot on" in a sentence?

You can use "been spot on" to indicate that something was completely accurate or correct. For example, "His analysis of the situation has "been spot on"." It's commonly used to describe assessments, predictions, or strategies.

What can I say instead of "been spot on"?

You can use alternatives like "been exactly right", "been perfectly accurate", or "been entirely correct" depending on the context.

Is "been spot on" too informal for academic writing?

While "been spot on" is widely understood, it is generally considered informal. For academic writing, it's better to use more formal alternatives such as "perfectly accurate" or "entirely correct".

What's the difference between "been spot on" and "been on the mark"?

Both "been spot on" and "been on the mark" indicate accuracy. "Been spot on" is a more common, general expression, while "been on the mark" is also correct but can also imply effectiveness, suggesting something was not only correct but also successful or well-aimed.