exactly has been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly has been" is not correct and does not work in standard written English.
It is not a standard construction and may confuse readers due to its awkwardness. Example: "What exactly has been the reason for the delay?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

What exactly has been won?

The New York Times - Arts

Who exactly has been threatening him?

The New York Times

So what exactly has been the former rebels' problem?

The New York Times

Who exactly has been screwing with your recommendations?

Independent

What exactly has been ground up in that sandwich?

The Guardian - Travel

"What exactly has been taken away?" Lindsey asks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

But what exactly had been our crime?

The Guardian - Opinion

But what, exactly, had been Brad's father's context?

The New Yorker

The truth is, another misunderstanding had occurred, this time over what exactly had been agreed.

The Guardian

Which African-Americans so lacking in credentials, exactly, have been anointed since Rivers?

The New York Times - Sports

Algorithms solving the problem exactly have been designed but the running time is improved over trivial brute-force solutions only for very sparse instances.

Theoretical Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure that the verb "to be" is used correctly with appropriate auxiliary verbs and tenses to maintain grammatical accuracy. For example, prefer using "what has been" or "what exactly is" instead of "exactly has been".

Common error

Avoid inverting the auxiliary verb and "to be" form without a clear grammatical reason. "Exactly has been" is not a standard English construction; ensure correct word order for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly has been" does not fulfill a clear grammatical function due to its incorrect structure. It lacks standard usage, making it difficult to assign a specific purpose. Ludwig AI flags this as non-standard, indicating it deviates from conventional English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly has been" is grammatically incorrect and lacks practical usage in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-standard construction. Therefore, it is essential to rephrase sentences to adhere to correct grammatical structures. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "what exactly has happened" or "that is exactly what has been", ensuring clarity and correctness in your writing. Always prioritize proper verb tense and sentence structure to avoid confusion and maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what exactly has happened

Replaces "been" with "happened" to create a grammatically correct question about an event.

what precisely has occurred

Substitutes "exactly" with "precisely" and "been" with "occurred" to enhance formality and grammatical accuracy.

what specifically has transpired

Replaces "exactly" with "specifically" and "been" with "transpired" for a more detailed and formal tone.

what in particular has taken place

Uses "in particular" instead of "exactly" and "taken place" instead of "been" to achieve clarity and correctness.

what accurately has been determined

Changes the sentence to focus on determination, using "accurately" to modify the action.

what truthfully has been said

Shifts focus to the truthfulness of a statement, replacing the event with the action of speaking.

what genuinely has been felt

Emphasizes the genuineness of a feeling, altering the context to a personal experience.

what realistically has been expected

Focuses on realistic expectations, changing the context to anticipation and possibility.

what demonstrably has been proven

Highlights proof and demonstration, making it suitable for formal or scientific contexts.

what verifiably has been established

Emphasizes the verifiability of something established, adding a layer of certainty.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "exactly has been" in a sentence?

To correct "exactly has been", restructure the sentence to use correct grammar. For example, use "what exactly has been" or "that is exactly what has been" depending on the intended meaning. Consider alternatives like "what exactly has happened".

What are some alternatives to using "exactly has been"?

Instead of "exactly has been", use grammatically correct phrases such as "precisely has been", "specifically has been", or rephrase the sentence for clarity. For example, you can say "what precisely has occurred".

Is the phrase "exactly has been" grammatically correct?

No, "exactly has been" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's an incorrect inversion of verb tenses. Correct versions include "what exactly has been" or "that is exactly what has been".

When is it appropriate to use "exactly has been" in a sentence?

The phrase "exactly has been" is generally inappropriate in formal or standard English. Always rephrase to adhere to correct grammatical structures. Use "what specifically has transpired" instead.