exactly now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly now" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is typically intended to convey a sense of immediacy or precision in timing, but the combination of "exactly" and "now" is awkward and unclear. Example: "I need you to submit the report exactly now, as the deadline is approaching."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Exactly, now I must go.

The Times

But I cannot remember exactly now.

Yale University

"But you know it more exactly now," he said.

The New York Times

And what are the chances of it arriving exactly now?

The Guardian

I don't know of anyone in New York who is using it this way exactly now.

Cornell University

THE ROOTS -- What are the Roots, exactly, now that their energies are so diffuse?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I don't think I was wrong, exactly, but now the movie seems marvellous to me.

The New Yorker

News Corporation's leadership and succession, never exactly certain, now seem decidedly wobbly.

The Economist

"And if things are not exactly right now," I said, "they soon will be.

The New Yorker

And we're going to be -- we're discussing that situation exactly right now.

The Washington Post

We may not know exactly right now, but people should watch.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using "right now" or "at this moment" instead of "exactly now".

Common error

Avoid using "exactly now" in formal writing. While it may be understood, it sounds unnatural. Use alternatives like "at this moment" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly now" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to specify the timing of an action or event with precision. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is not grammatically correct and the examples provided demonstrate varying degrees of naturalness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

25%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly now" attempts to combine the concepts of precision and immediacy. However, Ludwig AI suggests it is not grammatically correct and sounds awkward. While the phrase appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, it's advisable to use alternatives like "right now" or "at this moment" for greater clarity and grammatical accuracy. The phrase is relatively common, but its non-standard nature warrants caution in formal writing. Therefore, while the intention is clear, employing more conventional phrasing will enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right now

Focuses on immediacy without the added emphasis of "exactly".

at this moment

Emphasizes the present time but lacks the precision implied by "exactly".

precisely at this time

Combines the concepts of precision and present timing more formally.

at this very instant

Highlights the immediacy and specificity of the moment.

immediately

Stresses the lack of delay, omitting the 'now' aspect but retaining urgency.

at once

Similar to 'immediately' but with a slightly more formal tone.

in this instant

Focuses solely on this particular moment, omitting the precision.

just now

Refers to the very recent past or the immediate present.

at present

Highlights the current state or situation.

currently

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the present time.

FAQs

What does "exactly now" mean?

The phrase "exactly now" is intended to convey a sense of precision in timing. However, it is not standard English and may sound awkward. It's better to use alternatives like "right now" or "at this moment".

How can I use "exactly now" in a sentence correctly?

While "exactly now" isn't grammatically correct, you can rephrase your sentence to use similar alternatives. For example, instead of "I need it exactly now", say "I need it right now" or "I need it at this moment".

Which is correct, "exactly now" or "right now"?

"Right now" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Exactly now" is not standard English and may sound unnatural.

What are some alternatives to "exactly now"?

You can use phrases like "right now", "at this moment", or "immediately" instead of "exactly now" to convey the same meaning with better clarity.