exactly following

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly following" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is in precise accordance with or directly after something else. Example: "The instructions provided were exactly following the guidelines set by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But the show isn't exactly following the yellow-brick road.

The New York Times

A second commissioner, Peter Lyons, said, "There is no application coming in today that is exactly following the process".

The New York Times

Social workers spoke of "doing things by the book" – either by exactly following procedure, or using ethical codes from regulators as a guide to practice.

The Guardian

He smiles when he admits that pursuing a career as a fulltime drag queen and hoping to enter his single, You and I, in the Eurovision song contest is not exactly following the imam's advice not to "promote it".

The Guardian

The candidate, Rob Simmons, isn't exactly following in the footsteps of Alvin Greene, a novice politician who defeated a former state representative in South Carolina's Democratic primary for a Senate seat.

The New York Times

The boring (and likely) guess is that over the next few years, Dell will fully become a software and services company — almost exactly following the IBM transformation of yesteryear.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

When (A_{1}) and (A_{2}) are known exactly the following theorem follows immediately.

Advances in Difference Equations

It's exactly not following rules, that's what makes it happen.

The New York Times

We wouldn't exactly be following in the footsteps of Edward Abbey, the great Desert Solitaire, but dogging greatness is thankless work anyway.

The New York Times - Travel

Note that if East had put in his spade seven at Trick 1, the contract would have made exactly, declarer following a similar line of play by establishing his clubs.

The New York Times

More exactly, the following theorem is proved.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a procedure or set of instructions, use "exactly following" to emphasize the importance of strict adherence for achieving the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly following" when simply meaning "following". The addition of "exactly" specifies precise adherence and should only be used when this precision is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly following" functions as an adverbial modifier specifying the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is done in strict and precise accordance with a set of rules, instructions, or a pre-existing pattern. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples in news, science, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly following" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that emphasizes precise adherence to rules, instructions, or procedures. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its prevalent use in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. To ensure effective communication, remember to use "exactly following" when absolute precision is crucial, and choose related phrases based on subtle nuances in meaning. Finally, as confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is valid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely adhering to

This alternative suggests a strict and accurate compliance with rules or instructions.

strictly complying with

Emphasizes a rigid and unwavering adherence to guidelines or regulations.

faithfully executing

Highlights the act of performing a task or plan with unwavering accuracy and dedication.

closely observing

Focuses on paying careful attention and adhering to a process or set of rules.

accurately mirroring

Suggests a precise replication or reflection of a previous action or pattern.

meticulously replicating

Emphasizes the thoroughness and attention to detail in recreating something.

rigorously enforcing

Highlights a strict and uncompromising application of rules or regulations.

carefully heeding

Implies paying close attention and acting in accordance with advice or warnings.

directly succeeding

This emphasizes the immediate temporal sequence after an event.

immediately post

Highlights that something happens immediately after a specific time or event.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly following" to emphasize that a set of guidelines or instructions needs to be adhered to very closely. For example, "The experiment was successful because we were "exactly following" the protocol."

What's the difference between "exactly following" and "closely following"?

"Exactly following" implies a precise and strict adherence to instructions or guidelines, whereas "closely following" suggests a general adherence with some room for interpretation or minor deviations.

Which is correct, "exactly following" or "precisely following"?

Both ""exactly following"" and "precisely following" are correct and can often be used interchangeably, but "exactly" emphasizes absolute accuracy, while "precisely" can also imply a high degree of accuracy with perhaps a bit more focus on detail.

What can I say instead of "exactly following" when describing a sequence of events?

When describing events in sequence, you could use phrases like "directly succeeding" or "immediately post" to indicate that the latter event occurred right after the former.