exactly sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly sorry" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in informal contexts to emphasize a specific type of apology, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I’m not just sorry; I’m exactly sorry for how I treated you."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was thrilled to have been on a roller coaster road trip, but at the same time, I wasn't exactly sorry that it was over.

The New York Times - Travel

I love "Angel" and I'm not exactly sorry it got a fifth season, but Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt so clearly had to trim their sails at that point that I almost wonder whether it should have ended after four years.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

By the end – when Fuld is a broken man, punching his toy gorilla in fury and whimpering on his knees – you don't exactly feel sorry for him, but you do understand how he got there.

Independent

Briefly, in the space below, describe exactly how sorry you feel.

Huffington Post

The baby, we say, and we shake our heads and purse our lips let our hands come together like an empty cup before us to show exactly how sorry we are.

Huffington Post

P.M.S.: Sorry, sorry, sorry!

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

The New Yorker

But what exactly is he sorry for?

Independent

This isn't exactly direct Instegration (sorry), though it certainly brings the photo sharing app closer to its parent company.

TechCrunch

But what exactly is she saying sorry for?

The Guardian - Opinion

But he has declined to explain exactly what he is sorry for and, in hearings in Washington probing the financial crisis, he has been bombastic in his defence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "deeply sorry" or "truly sorry" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly sorry" when a simple "sorry" or a more standard intensifier would suffice, as it can sound unnatural or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly sorry" functions as an intensifier combined with an adjective. It aims to emphasize the sincerity or the degree of remorse. Ludwig's examples show its usage in contexts where the speaker wants to highlight the specific nature of their apology.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly sorry" attempts to emphasize the sincerity of an apology, but Ludwig suggests that this is not standard usage in English and might come across as awkward. While grammatically acceptable, more common and widely understood alternatives like "deeply sorry" or "truly sorry" are generally preferred. The phrase appears mostly in News & Media sources. When writing, consider the context and audience, opting for clearer and more conventional expressions of remorse to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply sorry

Replaces "exactly" with "deeply" to intensify the feeling of remorse.

absolutely apologetic

Uses "absolutely" to emphasize the apology.

truly apologetic

Replaces "exactly" with "truly" to emphasize the sincerity of the apology.

genuinely apologetic

Emphasizes the authenticity of the apology.

sincerely regretful

Substitutes both words with synonyms focusing on deep regret.

completely regretful

Uses "completely" to highlight the extent of regret.

remorsefully sorry

Includes "remorsefully" to explicitly state the feeling of deep regret.

utterly sorry

Replaces "exactly" with "utterly" for a stronger emphasis.

unequivocally sorry

Highlights that there is no doubt about the regret felt.

veritably sorry

Replaces "exactly" with "veritably" which means truly or genuinely.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "exactly sorry"?

More common alternatives include "deeply sorry", "truly sorry", or "genuinely sorry".

Is "exactly sorry" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "exactly sorry" is an unusual phrasing. It's grammatically sound but not typically used in formal or informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "exactly sorry"?

You might use "exactly sorry" when you want to emphasize the specific reason for your apology, though clearer alternatives are usually preferred.

Can I use "exactly sorry" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "exactly sorry" in formal writing. Opt for more conventional phrases like "sincerely apologetic" or "deeply regretful".