exactly it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly it was" is not correct and does not sound natural in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, as the word order is awkward and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I couldn't understand what he meant; exactly it was confusing."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But until this month, it was not clear how exactly the group was monitoring its targets, or who exactly it was monitoring.

The New York Times - Tech

I was trying to figure out what, exactly, it was trying to do — and who its audience was supposed to be.

The New York Times

So I'm just wondering what generation effect exactly it was.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Brown could not tell how, exactly, it was officiated.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm still trying to wrap my brain around what exactly it was," she said.

The Guardian

But details have been sketchy as to where exactly it was found, or how.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Exactly – it's the same thing".

The Guardian - Music

We don't know, scientifically speaking, what exactly it is.

Harvard University

Yes, exactly, it's adiabatic, right constant pressure.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But that's exactly what it was.

The New York Times - Arts

Mary: Exactly, except it was homemade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "exactly it was" with clearer and grammatically sound alternatives like "precisely what it was" or "that's exactly what it was".

Common error

Avoid using "exactly it was" in formal writing; it disrupts the natural flow of the sentence and confuses readers. Instead, rephrase your sentence to have a smoother structure, such as "what it exactly was."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly it was" functions as a fragment attempting to add emphasis or specificity. However, according to Ludwig AI, the word order is awkward and does not convey a clear meaning in standard English. See examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly it was" is grammatically questionable, which explains Ludwig AI stating that it's not correct and doesn't sound natural. Despite its presence in some news articles and academic texts, its use is generally discouraged in formal writing. Clearer alternatives such as "precisely what it was" or "that's exactly what it was" are preferable for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. While the phrase attempts to emphasize specificity, its awkward structure undermines its effectiveness. Thus, while examples exist, writers should aim for more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's exactly what it was

Adds emphasis and confirmation, indicating agreement or affirmation.

specifically what it was

Highlights the detailed and particular nature of the subject.

precisely what it was

Emphasizes accuracy and specificity, offering a more formal tone.

what it really was

Emphasizes the reality of the situation, offering a straightforward alternative.

what it actually was

Substitutes "exactly" with "actually" to indicate the true nature of something.

what it truly was

Uses "truly" instead of "exactly" to emphasize authenticity.

what it exactly was

Inverts the word order, creating a more direct question or statement.

the exact thing it was

Reformulates the phrase to focus on the object or thing in question.

just what it was

Replaces "exactly" with "just" for a slightly less formal tone.

that is what it was

Simplifies the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "exactly it was"?

Consider using phrases like "precisely what it was", "that's exactly what it was", or "what it actually was" for improved clarity and correctness.

How can I use "exactly it was" in a sentence correctly?

While "exactly it was" is not considered standard English, it appears in contexts where emphasis or a specific tone is intended. However, rephrasing for clarity is generally recommended. You could use "what it truly was" or "specifically what it was" as alternatives.

What is the difference between "exactly it was" and "that is what it was"?

"Exactly it was" is less grammatically correct and sounds awkward. "That is what it was" is a more straightforward and grammatically correct way of conveying the same basic meaning, though it may lack the intended emphasis.

Is "exactly it was" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "exactly it was" is generally not appropriate for formal writing due to its non-standard structure. Opt for more polished alternatives such as "precisely what it was" or "the exact thing it was" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.