exactly so

USAGE SUMMARY

'exactly so' is correct and can be used in written English.
You may use it when you want to emphasize that something has been stated correctly or is true. For example: "You only need one computer for this task - exactly so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Exactly so.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Cigarette?" Exactly so.

The New Yorker

TB: Exactly so.

The Guardian

In the present, everything is exactly so.

The Guardian - Books

Kaiser Wilhelm wrote on this: "Correct, exactly so".

The New York Times - Books

But in a certain sense that is exactly so.

The New Yorker

Look: what looks like retreating is not exactly so.

The New York Times - Magazine

The issue is not revenge or retribution, exactly, so much as moral order.

The New Yorker

The JB Priestley Society has been saying exactly so for the past 15 years.

The Guardian

Chicken marinated in yogurt described as "tenderly barbecued in the tandoor" arrived exactly so.

The New York Times - Travel

"That, of course, may not be exactly so, but as hyperbole, it went over well".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: while appropriate in many situations, it might sound overly formal in very casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly so" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your expressions of agreement to maintain reader engagement and prevent your text from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly so" functions as an adverbial phrase used for affirmation or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing, and examples illustrate its role in validating previous statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

29%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly so" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that conveys strong agreement or affirmation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts but leans towards neutral to formal settings. While highly versatile, overuse can lead to monotony, making it important to consider context and vary expressions of agreement. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "exactly so" can add emphasis and clarity to your writing or speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That's correct

Explicitly states the correctness of a previous statement.

That's right

A more casual affirmation.

You're right

Acknowledges the speaker's correctness.

Absolutely

Strong affirmation, implying complete agreement.

Couldn't agree more

Expresses strong agreement with a prior statement.

Precisely

Single-word affirmation, more concise.

That's it

Implies correctness or completion of something.

Quite so

Formal agreement, common in British English.

Indeed

Formal affirmation, emphasizing truth.

You nailed it

Informal expression of perfect accuracy.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly so" to express strong agreement with a statement. For example, "You're saying we need more resources? Exactly so."

What's a more formal alternative to "exactly so"?

Alternatives such as "indeed" or "quite so" can offer a similar sentiment in a more formal tone.

Is "exactly so" suitable for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "exactly so" may sound somewhat formal in very casual contexts. Consider using "that's right" or "you're right" for a more relaxed tone.

How does "exactly so" differ from simply saying "exactly"?

"Exactly so" provides a more emphatic agreement than just "exactly". The addition of "so" reinforces the agreement with the preceding statement.