exactly as

USAGE SUMMARY

"exactly as" is a valid phrase in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example: "I want you to make the cake exactly as I described."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It ran exactly as written.

The New York Times

Timeline works exactly as promised.

The New York Times

Sometimes a novel performs exactly as expected.

The New York Times

Not all worked out exactly as planned.

The New York Times

Instead, it has succeeded exactly as intended.

Independent

Horton's plan materialized exactly as expected.

The New York Times

And they do exactly as told.

The New York Times - Books

"It's been exactly as forecast".

The Guardian

Regardless, our routine works exactly as desired.

Cornell University

And it didn't work exactly as intended.

Columbia University

It did not go exactly as planned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly as" to clearly indicate that something should be performed or understood with complete accuracy and without deviation from a specified method or description.

Common error

While "exactly as" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "just like" or "the same way" to maintain a natural, informal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly as" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI indicates its role in ensuring accuracy and adherence to instructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly as" serves as a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize precision and conformity across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage make it a reliable choice for ensuring accuracy. While adaptable to different tones, it is vital to be mindful of the context to maintain an appropriate level of formality. Remember to use "exactly as" when you need to highlight the importance of following instructions or specifications to the letter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely as

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely", emphasizing accuracy.

just as

Offers a slightly less formal alternative, indicating similarity or equivalence.

identically to

Focuses on the identical nature of the comparison, highlighting sameness.

in the same way as

Provides a more descriptive and formal way to express similarity in method or manner.

completely as

Stresses the completeness of the similarity or conformity.

in every detail as

Emphasizes a thorough, point-by-point correspondence.

to the letter as

Implies strict adherence to instructions or specifications.

according to

Highlights that something is done in compliance with a rule, instruction, or agreement.

as per

A concise, slightly formal term indicating adherence to a prior agreement or instruction.

following the pattern of

Highlights that something is emulating a pattern.

FAQs

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

Use "exactly as" to specify that something must be done or understood in a precise manner, for example, "Follow the instructions "to the letter as" written."

What's an alternative to "exactly as" that sounds less formal?

For a less formal tone, you can use phrases like "just like", "the same way", or "as" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "exactly as" and "precisely as"?

While both phrases are similar, "exactly as" implies conformity to a specific instruction or description, whereas "precisely as" emphasizes a high degree of accuracy.

When should I use "exactly as" instead of "like"?

Use "exactly as" when you need to emphasize the precision or adherence to a specific standard or instruction. "Like" is more general and implies similarity rather than exactness.