exactly asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly asked" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when emphasizing the precision of a question that was posed, but it is better to use it in specific contexts where clarity is needed. Example: "He exactly asked what the requirements were for the project."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Where exactly?" asked the worried lecturer.

The Guardian

Ms. Palin hasn't exactly asked the crowd to supply the content of her political appeal.

The New York Times

"What do you mean by that, exactly?" asked another marcher, "A Maoist.

The New Yorker

"Where is it exactly?" asked a well-dressed man in a green blazer.

The New York Times - Style

"What are they exactly?" asked the Washington-based press secretary for a group focused on clean energy.

The New York Times

Mullen said that although General Stanley McChrystal hadn't exactly asked him for more soldiers yet, a properly resourced counterinsurgency probably means more forces, and, without question, more time and more commitment to the protection of the Afghan people and to the development of good governance.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"This is exactly what Mike asked me to do," Gallinari said.

The New York Times - Sports

"He doesn't exactly ask me for advice," Mr. de Montebello said.

The New York Times - Arts

"We didn't exactly ask him not to go," he said.

The New York Times

"This live tennis/footy coverage is a compelling new genre, but what's your job title exactly?" asks Paul Jones.

The Guardian - Sport

Cooper didn't exactly ask for that attention; but that experience, and the eye-opening spectacle in the streets, clearly altered him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether the emphasis is on the precision of the question or the action of asking. If the action is more important, use a more direct verb like "questioned" or "inquired".

Common error

Avoid using "exactly asked" when a general question is meant. Overusing the phrase can make the writing sound overly formal or unnatural. If you are using this phrase, ensure the precision is really needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly asked" functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the precise nature of an inquiry. While Ludwig AI indicates it's acceptable, it is not the most common phrasing. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in emphasizing the detail of the question.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly asked" is an acceptable but uncommon verb phrase used to emphasize the precision of a question. While grammatically correct, simpler alternatives like "specifically asked" are often preferred. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase appears in news and formal contexts. When using "exactly asked", ensure you are emphasizing the specific nature of the inquiry rather than the general act of asking. Due to its usage patterns, the phrase might be too formal for social media or informal conversations, according to Ludwig's AI analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely inquired

Replaces "exactly asked" with "precisely inquired", emphasizing the accuracy of the question.

specifically requested

Substitutes "asked" with "requested" and "exactly" with "specifically", focusing on the detail of the request.

explicitly questioned

Uses "questioned" instead of "asked" and "explicitly" instead of "exactly", highlighting the clarity of the question.

inquired with precision

Rephrases to emphasize the precision of the inquiry using a different word order.

asked in detail

Focuses on the detailed nature of the question.

particularly asked

Emphasizes the particular aspect of the question.

precisely demanded

Uses "demanded" to indicate a more forceful request for specific information.

wanted to know specifically

Shifts the focus to the desire for specific knowledge.

carefully questioned

Highlights the careful and thorough nature of the questioning.

asked with exactness

Uses a more formal and less common phrasing to emphasize precision.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly asked" to emphasize the precision of a question that was posed. For example, "He "exactly asked" what the requirements were for the project."

What is a more common alternative to "exactly asked"?

Common alternatives include "specifically asked", "precisely inquired", or "explicitly questioned", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "exactly asked" instead of "asked"?

Use "exactly asked" when you want to highlight that the question was very precise or specific. If the question was general, simply using "asked" is sufficient.

Is "exactly asked" considered formal or informal?

"Exactly asked" leans toward the formal side due to its emphasis on precision. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "specifically asked" may be more appropriate.