exactly approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly approved" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize that something has been approved with precision or without any doubt. Example: "The budget proposal was exactly approved by the board, leaving no room for further changes."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sam doesn't exactly approve, though he is thankful Coldplay or the Sex Pistols weren't playing.

The New York Times - Books

By week's end, the ad was hastily shelved, after Biden let it be known that he didn't exactly approve that message.

Huffington Post

This not-exactly medically approved hair test determines which vitamins and minerals an individual is lacking and how many hazardous metals are constantly being pushed through his or her scalp.

Vice

After four months of investigation, the UK's Office Of Fair Trading that works with the FTC also revealed exactly why it approved the deal.

TechCrunch

As extravagant price after extravagant price earned rounds of applause from the audience, you had to wonder exactly what was being approved.

The New York Times

In Brussels on Monday, Mrs. Merkel said: "I have firm confidence in the Italian government to approve exactly such a budget — I spoke on the telephone with the Italian prime minister yesterday on precisely this issue — and to signal that Italy feels a duty to consolidation and fighting debt".

The New York Times

In other words, the Polanski affair began at the precise moment when the serving judge, under pressure from public opinion and a press steamed up by the demonic notoriety of the author Rosemary's Baby, chose to tear up the plea bargain or, more exactly, not to approve it.

Huffington Post

I suspected she would have approved were he exactly the same but Jewish and sans tattoo and band T-shirts.

The New York Times

And yet, think about it -- think what it means in an era of celebrity rule and big-brand uniformity to have a garment that is not only one of a kind (because Goodwill isn't exactly Bergdorf's), but also approved and possibly even worn by Ms. Sevigny herself.

The New York Times - Style

In fact, teaching the approved curriculum is exactly what Scopes did.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Now, if this court settlement is approved, Google will know exactly what you are reading.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exactly approved", ensure the context warrants emphasizing the precision or completeness of the approval. In many cases, simpler alternatives like "approved" or "formally approved" may suffice.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly approved" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler and more natural phrasing unless emphasizing the precision of the approval is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly approved" functions as a qualifier, emphasizing the precision or completeness of an approval. It suggests that the approval was not just granted, but was also precise and without deviation. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while grammatically correct, it's not a common phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly approved" is used to emphasize the precision and completeness of an approval, though Ludwig indicates it is not particularly common. While grammatically acceptable, simpler alternatives may be more suitable in many contexts. It tends to appear in neutral to formal settings, such as news reports or business documents, where clarity and precision are valued. When using this phrase, ensure that emphasizing the exact nature of the approval is indeed necessary, as overuse can make your writing sound stilted. Consider the available alternatives if a more natural and idiomatic way to communicate the message is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explicitly approved

Approval that is clearly and directly stated, without ambiguity.

precisely authorized

Emphasizes the exactness of the authorization process.

thoroughly vetted and approved

Approval after a detailed and careful examination.

formally endorsed

Highlights the official nature of the approval.

strictly sanctioned

Focuses on the rigorous nature of the approval.

fully ratified

Indicates complete and formal confirmation.

definitively cleared

Suggests an unambiguous and final approval.

expressly permitted

Emphasizes that approval was explicitly granted.

absolutely validated

Highlights the complete confirmation of something.

officially rubber-stamped

A more informal phrase indicating automatic or perfunctory approval.

FAQs

How can I use "exactly approved" in a sentence?

While not frequently used, "exactly approved" is valid when you want to emphasize the precision or completeness of an approval. For example, "The budget proposal was exactly approved by the board, with no amendments".

What are some alternatives to "exactly approved"?

You can use alternatives like "precisely authorized", "formally endorsed", or "explicitly approved" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more common to say "exactly approved" or "precisely approved"?

"Precisely approved" might be slightly more common than "exactly approved", as it offers a similar emphasis on precision but may sound more natural to some ears. Both are relatively formal.

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

"Approved" indicates that something has received consent or authorization. "Exactly approved" adds an emphasis on the precision and completeness of that approval, suggesting there were no deviations or uncertainties.