exactly even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two quantities are equal or balanced without any discrepancy. Example: "After the final tally, the scores were exactly even, resulting in a tie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

For hours!" Exactly – even fewer cars.

The Guardian - Travel

Lawyers' names are pretty impressive, but not exactly even.

The New Yorker

After all that drama, the two candidates came out exactly even.

Independent

As things stand now, the odds of Democrats retaining control are almost exactly even.

The New Yorker

All the meat is cooked perfectly, the char exactly even on both sides.

The New Yorker

The Lancet data could not be reproduced exactly even by the test developers.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Not exactly even-steven.

The New York Times - Tech

Not exactly even-steven with Ms. Stiles, who talked about the rigors of television interviews.

The New York Times - Style

"It's not exactly evened itself out, has it?" Matterson reflected.

The Guardian - Sport

Whites and minorities weren't exactly on even footing even before the recession.

Huffington Post

But not exactly, not even remotely, a live scientific hypothesis.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly even" to emphasize a precise equality between two values or entities. This phrase is effective when highlighting a surprising or noteworthy balance.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly even" when describing situations that are merely close or approximate. Reserve this phrase for scenarios where the equality is precise and verifiable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly even" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "even". It specifies a precise degree of equality or balance. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase emphasizes the accuracy of the equality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly even" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that emphasizes a precise state of equality or balance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Found frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to highlight situations where values, quantities, or concepts are perfectly matched. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely reflects a precise equality to avoid misapplication. Alternatives like "perfectly balanced" or "precisely equal" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly balanced

Emphasizes a state of equilibrium or perfect proportionality.

precisely equal

Highlights the accuracy and exactness of the equality.

completely identical

Stresses that two things are the same in every way.

perfectly matched

Suggests a harmonious or ideal correspondence.

wholly equivalent

Indicates a full or total equivalence in value or meaning.

absolutely the same

Underscores the complete lack of difference between two things.

entirely uniform

Focuses on the consistency and lack of variation.

dead even

An idiom that means there is no advantage on either side

nip and tuck

Describes a situation where competitors are very close.

level playing field

Used when all participants have an equal opportunity.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly even" to describe situations where two things are perfectly balanced or equal. For example: "After careful measurement, we found the two sides were "exactly even"".

What phrases are similar to "exactly even"?

Alternatives to "exactly even" include "perfectly balanced", "precisely equal", or "completely identical". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "exactly" with "even"?

While "even" can stand alone, using "exactly even" emphasizes the precision of the equality. The choice depends on the level of emphasis needed in your writing.

Can "exactly even" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "exactly even" can apply to abstract concepts such as scores, odds, or levels of agreement, as long as the equality is precisely defined. For example: "The candidates were "exactly even" in the polls prior to the debate".