exactly as if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly as if" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or event that is being compared to something else, emphasizing the precise similarity between the two. Example: The actor's performance was so convincing, it was exactly as if he were living the character's life.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, a corpus is considered as the scientific output of the field of research and treated exactly as if the research field was an individual researcher.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

It was exactly as if someone pushed me".

The New Yorker

It was exactly as if I had never seen, much less fucked, either one.

The New Yorker

"This minute, talking to you, I feel exactly as if I were betraying Norbert".

The New Yorker

No, but when I'm onstage, I feel exactly as if I had.

The New York Times

"It was exactly as if someone had simply turned off a faucet," he told the critic Paul Moor.

The New Yorker

It enables CMM off-line programming to take place exactly as if an operator were in front of a real CMM and moving a real CMM probe.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

That is, while walking on their hands, they also swung their legs exactly as if they were pedestrians.

The New York Times - Arts

"They are treated almost exactly as if the interrogation had taken place at One Police Plaza," the professor said.

The New York Times

It's not exactly as if you just know that you basically pay a price of knowing where the location of the frequencies are.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She runs Balaboosta exactly as if she'd invited a room full of strangers for dinner, then told her family to be nice to them.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly as if" to create a strong and vivid comparison, particularly when emphasizing that a simulated or imagined scenario closely mirrors reality. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal writing to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly as if" when a simpler comparison like "as if" or "like" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or unnatural in contexts that don't require such precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly as if" functions as a conjunction to introduce a hypothetical situation that closely resembles a real one. It serves to draw a comparison, emphasizing a high degree of similarity or equivalence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly as if" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction to draw precise comparisons between situations. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct to use this phrase. It is most prevalent in news, scientific, and academic contexts, offering writers a robust tool for creating vivid and accurate depictions. While useful for detailed comparisons, it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary formality in simpler contexts. Alternatives such as "just as if" or "as if" may be more suitable in those cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as if

Slightly more informal than "exactly as if".

precisely as if

Emphasizes the accuracy of the comparison more strongly.

virtually as if

Emphasizes the near-identical nature of the comparison.

as though

More literary and less precise than "exactly as if".

as if

A simpler, more common alternative, lacking the emphasis on exactness.

in the same way as if

More verbose, but highlights the manner of similarity.

it's like

Informal and conversational, indicating a less precise comparison.

tantamount to

Highlights the equivalence in effect or value.

akin to

Formal and suggests a resemblance or similarity.

comparable to

Focuses on the comparability between two situations.

FAQs

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

Use "exactly as if" to illustrate a scenario that closely mimics another, real or imagined. For example: "She treated him exactly as if he were her own son."

What are some alternatives to "exactly as if"?

You can use alternatives like "just as if", "as though", or "as if" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

"Exactly as if" emphasizes the precision and closeness of the comparison, while "as if" is a more general comparison.

When is it appropriate to use "exactly as if" in writing?

Use "exactly as if" when you want to stress that a situation or action is performed in a way that is virtually indistinguishable from another. It adds emphasis and clarity to the comparison.