exactly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "exactly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the truth or accuracy of something. For example: "That is exactly what I was thinking!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Exactly right.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, not exactly.

The New York Times - Books

Indeed, you're already seeing a lot of them do exactly that.

The Economist

Next, he pointed out that full nationalization of a financial institution might trigger systemic shocks, as investors retreated from other banks, creating exactly the kind of panic that nationalization was intended to prevent.

The Economist

Nor have I come across a clear explanation of exactly how the program could be put to such a purpose.

The Economist

Of course, this is exactly the way the tax code works now: tax rates rise at certain income thresholds, meaning that when you get to a certain income level, the government takes more of every dollar you earn.

The Economist

And that's exactly what happened.

The Guardian

We had some amazing women who looked like them, and came from a background similar to them, so I'm uncovering role models who are exactly like them.

The Guardian

Pompeii didn't exactly get his film career off to a strong start, and he was hardly the best thing in first world war drama Testament of Youth.

The Guardian - Film

It has been thirteen months exactly since the suicide of Aaron Swartz, at the age of 26.

The Guardian - Tech

"Mare Nostrum is working exactly as we worked in the last year and we are not passing on our activity to someone else.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly" to emphasize the precision or accuracy of a statement, ensuring clarity and leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly" as a filler word or for mild emphasis; reserve it for situations where precision is genuinely important, otherwise it can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "exactly" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, emphasizing the precision or accuracy of an action, description, or degree. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role in specifying exactness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize precision, accuracy, or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, it's important to avoid overuse and reserve it for situations where precision is genuinely needed. Alternatives like "precisely" or "accurately" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. When used correctly, "exactly" can strengthen your writing and ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely

Emphasizes accuracy and detail, similar to "exactly" but with a slightly more formal tone.

absolutely

Indicates strong agreement or affirmation, like using "exactly" in response to a statement.

correctly

Focuses on the accuracy of an action or statement, akin to saying something was done "exactly" right.

verbatim

Implies that something is repeated or copied word for word, which is a form of being "exactly" the same.

accurately

Highlights the lack of errors or deviations, similar to the precision conveyed by "exactly".

identically

Signifies that two or more things are the same in every way, mirroring the meaning of "exactly" matching.

unerringly

Indicates consistent accuracy, pointing to something that is "exactly" on target every time.

specifically

Highlights a particular detail or aspect, akin to pointing out "exactly" what is meant.

just so

Confirms that something is in the right order or position, similar to the exactness of "exactly".

literally

Emphasizes that something is true to the letter, aligning with the concept of "exactly" as it is written or said.

FAQs

How can I use "exactly" in a sentence to show agreement?

You can use "exactly" as a standalone interjection to express complete agreement with a statement. For instance, if someone says, "The meeting is scheduled for 3 PM", you could respond with "Exactly!" to show that you agree and confirm the time.

What alternatives can I use instead of "exactly" to convey precision?

To convey precision, you can use alternatives like "precisely", "accurately", or "verbatim" depending on the context. For example, instead of saying "measure exactly 10 cm", you could say "measure precisely 10 cm".

Is it correct to use "exactly" to mean 'approximately'?

No, using "exactly" to mean 'approximately' is incorrect. "Exactly" implies precision and accuracy, while 'approximately' indicates an estimate or near value. These terms are antonyms and should not be used interchangeably.

What's the difference between "exactly" and "precisely"?

While both "exactly" and "precisely" indicate accuracy, "exactly" can also be used for emphasis or agreement, whereas "precisely" is primarily focused on pinpoint accuracy or detail. The nuance depends on the specific context.