exactly the argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly the argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that a specific argument is being referred to or discussed. Example: "In our debate, I will present exactly the argument that supports my thesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

That was exactly the argument the same neocon gaggle used when they were pushing an invasion of Iraq.

The New York Times

It was exactly the argument that Romney had encountered when he made his decision on the mandate a few years earlier.

The New Yorker

This was, as it happens, exactly the argument of slave owners of 1861, well answered by Lincoln, and then by Grant.

The New Yorker

This is exactly the argument that Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota, a longtime deficit hawk and ranking Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, is making.

The New York Times

This is exactly the argument the US president, Barack Obama, deployed in defence of his drone policy, including CIA drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, and estimates of civilian casualties varying from less than 100 to over 800.

The Guardian

This is exactly the argument that the industry waged in 1994, with E. coli, but there the government changed its toned because there 700 people who got sick and 4 children who died, and it was kind of hard to ignore that.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"These are exactly the arguments Michael Foot made about the privatisation of the National Freight Corporation.

The Guardian

The 5-valid arguments are exactly the arguments provable in S5.

SEP

What, exactly, is the argument for delay?

The Guardian

The resultant argument is of the form AAA-4, which is exactly the same argument as AAA-1 with interchanged premises.

SEP

And exactly the same argument goes for the Bush administration's insane attempts to reserve the right to torture people.These arguments have gone well past points of principle; they are to do with the hard pragmatic task of grinding out a victory against a relentless enemy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid redundancy, ensure the context clearly indicates which argument you are referencing. If necessary, briefly restate or reference the earlier argument to provide clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "exactly the argument" when the points are merely similar but not identical. Ensure the arguments truly align to avoid misrepresenting the connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly the argument" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, specifying that a particular argument is being referred to with precision. Ludwig shows that it serves to emphasize the identity between an argument being discussed and a previous argument, claim, or justification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly the argument" is a determiner phrase used to precisely identify an argument, claim, or justification as being identical to one previously mentioned. Ludwig's analysis shows that it is grammatically sound and appears most frequently in news and media, as well as science. While the phrase is neutrally formal, its purpose is to emphasize identity and highlight consistency. Given the information that Ludwig AI provided, it's crucial to ensure that the points are truly identical when using this phrase to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely the reasoning

Replaces "argument" with "reasoning", emphasizing the logical process.

that very contention

Substitutes "argument" with "contention", indicating a point of dispute.

the identical rationale

Emphasizes the similarity in underlying reasons rather than just the argument itself.

the selfsame justification

Highlights that the defense offered are completely equivalent.

the mirror assertion

Indicates a direct reflection or duplication of a previous claim.

the carbon copy explanation

Conveys that it is nearly an exact copy of a previous statement or reason.

the very same point

Focuses on the identity of the idea being expressed.

the spitting image case

The word "case" relates more to a judicial environment.

that specific claim

Replaces argument with something that can be demonstrated as true or false.

the aforementioned proposition

Formal alternative, indicating a previously introduced idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly the argument" to emphasize that a point being made is identical to one previously presented. For example, "His defense was "exactly the argument" that had been rejected in the lower court".

What phrases are similar to "exactly the argument"?

Alternatives include "precisely the reasoning", "that very contention", or "the identical rationale", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "exactly the argument"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that a claim is not just similar, but precisely the same as one previously stated or implied. It adds emphasis and clarity to your point.

What's the difference between "exactly the argument" and "a similar argument"?

"Exactly the argument" indicates an identical point, while "a similar argument" suggests related but distinct points. The former emphasizes precision; the latter, resemblance. Therefore, if your intention is to denote a nuanced but similar claim, it is better to use "a similar argument" instead.