exactly good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly good" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to emphasize that something is precisely or perfectly good, but it is better to use it in informal contexts or conversations. Example: "The meal was exactly good, just what I needed after a long day."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

And these aren't exactly good times.

The New York Times

Sitting down and talking for hours isn't exactly good cardio.

The Guardian

They really shouldn't – sure, yeah, four points from four matches isn't exactly good.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't think it's exactly good versus evil," he said, "it's just business".

The New York Times

But they were not exactly good anywhere in Europe, while Poland was subject to severe social, economic and political tensions.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is not exactly good news, but it does seem a measure of progress that Iraqis have the luxury of worrying about dogs at all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Quite often this mutual learning is not exactly good-natured, but results instead from poaching talent from competitors.

The Economist

There is a young woman sitting not far from him who is not exactly good-looking but good-looking enough, and probably good in bed, as indeed she is.

The New Yorker

The band could hint at roots, with Michael Ramos often playing accordion, and it put an upbeat country bounce into songs that weren't exactly good-timey: Truth No.2," about an abused woman breaking free, and "Long Ride Home," about a widower's thoughts after his wife's funeral.

The New York Times - Arts

"Will it look good in our place?" My husband explained that the chair wasn't exactly "comfortable". Nor was it exactly "good-looking". The designer, Maarten Baas, had taken a reproduction art nouveau-style chair by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, set it on fire, sealed the charred remains and added an electric yellow sheepskin seat cushion.

Forbes

'OCEAN'S 11': George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and a few others star in a not-exactly-remake of Sinatra and the Rat Pack's not-exactly-good 1960 heist film.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more sophisticated tone, consider replacing "exactly good" with synonyms like "perfectly adequate" or "entirely satisfactory".

Common error

Avoid using "exactly good" in formal or professional contexts. Opt for more refined alternatives such as "perfectly acceptable" or "entirely suitable" to maintain a polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly good" functions primarily as a qualifier, indicating that something meets a basic threshold of goodness without necessarily implying exceptional quality. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's often used when something is merely adequate or acceptable, but not outstanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly good" denotes a state of moderate acceptability, implying something is satisfactory without being exceptional. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to use it judiciously in formal settings, opting for alternatives like "perfectly adequate" for a more polished tone. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, particularly in news and media, yet suggests that while the phrase is "Acceptable", it is also better to use it in informal contexts. Remember to vary your phrasing for nuanced communication and avoid overuse in professional writing to maintain clarity and sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly adequate

Emphasizes sufficiency or acceptability, rather than excellence.

entirely satisfactory

Indicates complete fulfillment of requirements or expectations.

precisely suitable

Highlights the appropriateness of something for a specific purpose.

completely acceptable

Focuses on the permissibility or unobjectionable nature of something.

thoroughly decent

Suggests a commendable but not necessarily exceptional quality.

wholly sufficient

Stresses the completeness of adequacy.

just fine

An informal phrase indicating something is satisfactory but not outstanding.

perfectly fine

Similar to "just fine", but slightly more formal.

absolutely alright

Suggests that something is acceptable with no issues.

positively adequate

Emphasizes the adequacy of something in a more affirmative manner.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly good" to describe something that meets the minimum requirements or expectations, but isn't necessarily outstanding. For example: "The service wasn't terrible, but it wasn't "particularly good" either, just "exactly good".

What can I say instead of "exactly good"?

Alternatives include "perfectly adequate", "entirely satisfactory", or "precisely suitable", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "exactly good"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, although not the most common or elegant phrasing. It is generally acceptable in informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more refined alternatives.

What's the difference between "exactly good" and "very good"?

"Exactly good" implies a baseline level of acceptability or adequacy, whereas "very good" suggests a higher level of quality or excellence. The former focuses on meeting requirements, while the latter focuses on exceeding them.