exactly deserve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly deserve" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when you want to emphasize the precise nature of what someone is entitled to or merits, but it is better to use it in a more natural context. Example: "She worked tirelessly for the project, and she exactly deserves the recognition for her efforts."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While Zeth Lundy found that the deluxe edition "bestows lavish attention upon a record that may not exactly deserve it", with the DVD "an unnecessary bonus", Shawn Perry considered the supplementary disc to be possibly the "pièce de résistance" of the 2006 reissue, and concluded: "this package is a beautiful tribute to the late and great guitarist any Beatles and Harrison fan will cherish".

Wikipedia

Faludi went on to seek comment from Sandberg about how Lean In squares its willingness to provide positive press to these corporations with the fact that, in many instances, they do not exactly deserve it ― as well as whether her current employer, Facebook, was taking to the Lean In revolution with any degree of zeal.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Who exactly deserves that kind of wealth?

The New York Times

In an article for Grist called "Snake in the Olive Garden," she noted that given how insanely high in calories and sodium the chain's dishes already were, these improvements were "not exactly deserving of fancy press conferences and pats on the back, especially when it comes with the publicity glow of the first lady".

Huffington Post

What exactly they deserve to be paid, however, remains a slippery question.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, these situations are exactly those deserving more accurate and sometimes alternative diagnostic tools, that is the possible future role of a combined LUS/PCT protocol.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

It's hard to say exactly who deserves the credit.

Huffington Post

England have got exactly what they deserve.

Independent

It's exactly what you deserve".

The New Yorker

I'm getting exactly what I deserve.

The New York Times - Sports

But in a democracy, we get exactly what we deserve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly deserve" when you want to stress the precision of what someone has earned or is entitled to, ensuring the reward or recognition aligns perfectly with their efforts or qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly deserve" in formal contexts where a more sophisticated or nuanced phrase might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "fully merit" or "rightfully earn" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly deserve" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying a verb. It emphasizes the precision or accuracy of the deserving, indicating that someone's merit aligns precisely with what they receive. Examples from Ludwig show contexts where actions or qualities are deemed to warrant specific outcomes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly deserve" is a phrase used to emphasize the accuracy and appropriateness of someone receiving what they merit. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not as common as alternatives like "truly deserve" or "justly deserve". Its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news and media, and it carries a neutral to slightly formal tone. When writing, consider using this phrase when you want to stress the precise alignment between actions and outcomes, but be mindful of the overall tone and formality of your piece.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justly deserve

Emphasizes the fairness of deserving something.

precisely merit

Replaces "deserve" with "merit" and "exactly" with "precisely" to emphasize the accuracy of deserving something.

absolutely merit

Intensifies the deserving of something.

rightfully earn

Focuses on the justification for deserving something, suggesting a sense of entitlement based on actions.

completely warrant

Replaces "deserve" with a stronger synonym indicating justification.

genuinely warrant

Emphasizes the authenticity of deserving something, implying that it is truly justified.

unquestionably merit

Highlights the absence of doubt in deserving something.

truly be worthy of

Uses a more descriptive phrase to express the idea of deserving something, focusing on the quality of worthiness.

undeniably be due

Focuses on the inevitability of deserving something.

fully be entitled to

Highlights the legal or moral right to deserve something, suggesting a sense of entitlement.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly deserve" when you want to emphasize that someone's reward or treatment is precisely what they have earned. For example, "After years of dedication, she "justly deserves" the promotion."

What are some alternatives to "exactly deserve"?

Alternatives include "truly deserve", "rightfully earn", or "genuinely warrant". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "exactly deserve" considered formal or informal?

"Exactly deserve" is generally considered acceptable but not particularly formal. Depending on the context, you might prefer a more polished phrase like "fully merit" in professional settings.

Which is correct: "exactly deserve" or "truly deserve"?

Both "exactly deserve" and "truly deserve" are grammatically correct, but "truly deserve" is more common and generally sounds more natural. "Exactly deserve" is useful when emphasizing the precise alignment of effort and reward.