exactly a lot of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly a lot of" is not correct and does not work in written English.
It is contradictory, as "exactly" implies precision while "a lot of" suggests a vague quantity. Example: "I don't have exactly a lot of time to finish this project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It's hard to know exactly; a lot of people don't like to talk about it.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to work in the movie business, and there aren't exactly a lot of jobs in film that you can have in Omaha.

The New York Times

MR. GORE -- I think that, well that vote wasn't exactly, a lot of supporters of the Kyoto treaty actually ended up voting for that because of the way it was worded, but there's no doubt there's a lot of opposition to it in the Senate.

The New York Times

There isn't exactly a lot of material available with which to research a Restoration-period lady who doubles up by night as a feared highwayman, who 800 years before was a Viking girl, turned by an eternity of watching everyone around her die.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And while it's possible that the company's product may not meet the needs of everyone, there aren't exactly a lot of similar platforms on the market.

TechCrunch

There aren't exactly a lot of developers on board with the platform even though it's marketable as easier to work with than Android.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

DeBeck included authentic expressions such as "plime-blank" ("exactly") and "a lavish of" ("a lot of"), and included explanations of dialect unfamiliar to his readers.

Wikipedia

Actually, singing the blues is exactly what a lot of black people were doing in the pre-Civil Rights era South, but facts aren't exactly Robertson's strong suit.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Paul Williams did exactly what a lot of newcomers to California wanted," Jeh Johnson says.

The New Yorker

He didn't seem stoned, exactly, but a lot of his humor appeared to come from that part of the brain that lesser people need drugs to activate.

The New York Times - Arts

She knows that the manner in which she raises many of her animals is exactly what a lot of Britain's food-aware customers want.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "exactly a lot of" in formal writing. It is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers. Instead, opt for more precise or idiomatic alternatives depending on your intended meaning.

Common error

Don't combine terms that suggest exactness with phrases indicating approximation. Using "exactly a lot of" creates a contradiction. Choose either a precise measurement or a general quantifier to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly a lot of" attempts to quantify something with both precision and generality. However, it is grammatically incorrect, as the adverb "exactly" and the quantifier "a lot of" create a contradiction. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly a lot of" is grammatically incorrect because it combines the concept of precision ("exactly") with a vague quantifier ("a lot of"). While it appears in some informal contexts, especially in News & Media, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not considered correct. Better alternatives include "precisely many" or simply choosing between emphasizing precision or quantity with phrases like "a considerable number of" or "exactly numerous". Avoid using "exactly a lot of" in formal writing to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely many

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely" to emphasize accuracy, and "a lot of" with "many" for quantity.

exactly numerous

Substitutes "a lot of" with "numerous" to indicate a large quantity with exactness.

a precise quantity of

Uses "precise quantity" to highlight the exactness of the amount.

a considerable number of

Replaces "exactly" with "considerable" to imply a significant amount without being precise.

a substantial amount of

Emphasizes the quantity as substantial, rather than focusing on exactness.

a great deal of

Indicates a large quantity, removing the emphasis on precision.

a significant quantity of

Highlights the importance of the quantity, shifting focus from exactness.

quite a few

Uses "quite a few" to express a considerable number, without specifying the exact amount.

a multitude of

Indicates a very large number, moving away from any notion of precision.

numerous instances of

Focuses on the presence of many instances, rather than exactness.

FAQs

Is "exactly a lot of" grammatically correct?

No, "exactly a lot of" is not grammatically correct. The term "exactly" implies precision, while "a lot of" indicates a vague quantity. The combination creates a contradiction. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment.

What phrases can I use instead of "exactly a lot of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "precisely many", "exactly numerous", or "a considerable number of" to convey a similar meaning without the grammatical inconsistency.

How does the meaning change if I replace "exactly a lot of" with "quite a few"?

Replacing "exactly a lot of" with "quite a few" shifts the focus from precision to approximation. "Quite a few" suggests a considerable number but does not imply an exact count.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "exactly a lot of"?

While not grammatically correct, the phrase "exactly a lot of" may appear in informal conversation or less formal writing. However, it is best to avoid it in formal contexts to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.