exactly the answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly the answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is precisely the correct response to a question or problem. Example: "After reviewing all the options, I can confidently say that this is exactly the answer we were looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Not exactly the answer she wanted.

The New York Times

That was exactly the answer that Welles wanted to hear.

The New York Times

The show's executive producer, Harry Marshall, gave exactly the answer any TV executive hopes to hear.

The New York Times

Well, it's exactly the answer to that that Apple is paying for.

The Guardian - Tech

"I mean, I, I, I don't know exactly the answer to that question.

The Guardian

(What was your objection to red hair, by the way?) But I don't think "handling it like a man," whatever that means is exactly the answer — particularly when we're talking about 13-year-old kids, and an internet culture that let's people gang up virtually.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

You succeed in school by giving your teacher exactly the answers she is looking for, but are unlikely to get points for originality.

Forbes

He knew exactly the answers he would get when he asked him questions.

Huffington Post

And when I ask a question, it's almost as if he's still trying to work out exactly what the answer might be, or how to put in words exactly who he is.

The Guardian - Film

Each day I asked myself, "Why am I doing this?" and I could never exactly find the answer.

The New York Times - Magazine

For example, if the description was 'word that uses all five vowels in order exactly once' the answer would be 'abstentious'abstentious

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly the answer" when you want to emphasize that a response is not just correct, but perfectly suited to the question or situation. It adds a sense of precision and satisfaction.

Common error

While "exactly the answer" is grammatically sound, it can sound somewhat formal or stilted in very casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "that's it" or "you got it" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly the answer" functions as a noun phrase that typically follows a verb like 'be' or 'is'. It serves to identify a specific response as being correct and completely suitable. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly the answer" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize that a response is perfectly correct and suitable. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage spans across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Academia. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "exactly the answer" to convey precision and satisfaction in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely the solution

Emphasizes the accuracy and suitability of the solution.

the perfect response

Highlights the ideal nature of the response.

the accurate reply

Focuses on the correctness of the reply.

the correct solution

Underscores that the solution is free of errors.

just the right response

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the response.

the most suitable answer

Highlights the suitability and fitness of the answer.

the intended response

Focuses on the alignment with the expected or desired response.

the definitive solution

Stresses the conclusiveness and finality of the solution.

the answer sought

Highlights the fact that it's a solution somebody was looking for.

the resolution required

Focuses on the requirement of the resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "exactly the answer" in a sentence?

You can use "exactly the answer" to emphasize that a response is completely correct or perfectly suited to a question. For example, "After much deliberation, we found that this proposal was "exactly the answer" to our problem".

What's a more casual way to say "exactly the answer"?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "that's it", "you got it", or "that's right" instead of "exactly the answer".

Is there a difference between "exactly the answer" and "the correct answer"?

While both phrases indicate correctness, "exactly the answer" implies a higher degree of precision and suitability. "The correct answer" simply means the answer is not wrong, while "exactly the answer" suggests it's perfectly tailored to the situation.

What are some synonyms for "exactly the answer"?

Synonyms for "exactly the answer" include "precisely the solution", "the perfect response", or "just the right response". All these can be used depending on the context.