exactly as before

USAGE SUMMARY

"exactly as before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something happened in the same manner or way as it happened previously. For example, "She sang the same song exactly as before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

All went on exactly as before, that was the beauty of it.

The New York Times - Books

In other words: the Little Sisters can continue operating exactly as before, and nothing will happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

But no – the law will be the same: consent will be needed exactly as before, and so will licences.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm going to be carrying on doing my job exactly as before, which is speaking for Labour on foreign policy, supporting Jeremy Corbyn and campaigning really hard to get Labour elected at the next general election".

Independent

As he left his London home for the House of Commons, the shadow foreign secretary added: "I'm going to be carrying on doing my job exactly as before, which is speaking for Labour on foreign policy, supporting Jeremy Corbyn and campaigning really hard to get Labour elected at the next general election".

The Guardian

Using them was voluntary; the game could be played exactly as before without them.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

When it has finished, your laptop will reboot and everything should be exactly as it was before, except on a new drive.

The Guardian - Tech

You can keep using all the Uber options exactly as you did before".

TechCrunch

As Halliday (2006: 254) contends: "there can be no semiotic act that leaves the world exactly as it was before".

Functional Linguistics

Notice that the configuration parameters of the transmitter are exactly the same as before, when measuring Ĉ η r by means of wireless transmissions.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

He goes on to say on the blog: "Our strategy remains exactly the same as before, and the quality of customer service will not change".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly as before" to clearly convey that a process, state, or action has not changed from a prior instance. This is useful for providing reassurance or emphasizing consistency.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly as before" if there are even minor alterations or adjustments. Instead, opt for phrases like "almost the same as before" or "largely unchanged" to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly as before" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct. It modifies a verb or clause to describe how something is done, emphasizing the sameness of the action compared to a previous instance, just as shown by provided Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

58%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly as before" is a versatile and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize the unchanged continuation of a state, action, or process. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and is often employed to highlight consistency or reassure the absence of alterations. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in news media and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "precisely as it was" and "just as before", though "exactly as before" clearly underscores the idea of identical replication. A best practice is to use it for clarity when emphasizing that something remains unchanged, while a common error is to misuse it when subtle changes have occurred. The phrase serves to reassure, highlight consistency, or underscore the lack of deviation from a previous condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Precisely as it was

This alternative emphasizes accuracy and identical replication of a previous state.

Just like previously

This option offers a slightly more informal tone, focusing on the similarity to a past occurrence.

As it used to be

This variant highlights a return to a former condition or habit.

In the same manner as before

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the method or way something is done.

Identically to the past

This alternative underscores the complete sameness with what occurred in the past.

Without any change

This choice emphasizes the lack of alteration from a previous state.

Remaining unaltered

Focuses on the state of something not being changed.

As things stood before

Emphasizes the state of affairs before a certain point in time.

Continuing as it had

Highlights the ongoing nature of something without deviation.

Maintaining the status quo

This alternative underscores the persistence of the existing conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly as before" to indicate that something is continuing or being repeated in the same way it was done previously. For example, "After the repairs, the car looked "exactly as before"".

What phrases are similar to "exactly as before"?

Similar phrases include "just as before", "precisely as it was", or "as it used to be". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "exactly as before" in formal writing?

Yes, "exactly as before" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing. However, in formal contexts, you might consider using a more precise or sophisticated synonym, such as "in the same manner as before".

What's the difference between "exactly as before" and "similar to before"?

"Exactly as before" indicates complete sameness, with no changes whatsoever. "Similar to before", on the other hand, suggests that there are some resemblances but also some differences. "Exactly as before" is much stronger in its claim of identical replication.