exactly the reverse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly the reverse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is the complete opposite of what was previously stated or implied. Example: "While many believe that success is solely about hard work, I think it's exactly the reverse; sometimes, luck plays a more significant role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Exactly the reverse is true.

Independent

Yet clients' priorities are exactly the reverse.

The Economist

Our experience is exactly the reverse.

The Economist

Tells why exactly the reverse is true.

The New Yorker

My problem is exactly the reverse.

The Guardian

In medicine the situation had been exactly the reverse.

The New York Times - Health

Exactly the reverse is true when you tax".

The New York Times

"It's exactly the reverse of what they say".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It can also happen exactly in the reverse, in that we want to be like our friends and so we adopt the same biases.

WikiHow

Further confirmation of the functional significance of our microarray-generated profile of differential miRNA expression is provided by the observation that most alterations of miRNA expression identified in the growth-arrested Rasless cells were fully reversed, in exactly the opposite direction of induction or repression, in the proliferating, BRAF-rescued and MEK1-rescued MEFs (Table  1).

BMC Genomics

A value of 1 (or −1) indicates that the rankings are exactly the same (or reverse), implying no influence of outliers on DMU efficiency (7, 8, 41– 41).

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly the reverse" to create a strong contrast with a previous statement, ensuring clarity and emphasis. It is most effective when the initial statement is well-defined.

Common error

While "exactly the reverse" is generally acceptable, overuse in casual conversations can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "the opposite" or "not at all" for a more natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly the reverse" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a complete and precise opposition. It serves to emphatically negate or contradict a prior statement, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's used to create a clear contrast.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly the reverse" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a complete opposition or contradiction. Ludwig confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, it's best employed to create strong contrasts in formal and professional settings, and can be replaced with simpler alternatives in casual conversations. Be sure to use it accurately to negate a statement or highlight a reversal, making your writing clearer and more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely the opposite

Emphasizes the accuracy and completeness of the opposition.

the complete opposite

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the contrast.

the antithesis

Implies a direct and fundamental opposition.

the very opposite

Stresses the direct contradiction.

quite the contrary

Introduces a statement that is the opposite of a previous one.

just the opposite

A more casual way to indicate a contrary situation.

diametrically opposed

Indicates opposition on a straight line, from end to end.

on the contrary

Indicates that what follows is the opposite of what was just said.

the other way around

Describes a situation where the order or arrangement is inverted.

the inverse

Suggests a mathematical or logical opposition.

FAQs

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

Use "exactly the reverse" to indicate that something is the complete opposite of what was previously stated or implied. For example, "Many believe that success is solely about hard work, but I think it's "exactly the reverse"; sometimes, luck plays a more significant role."

What are some alternatives to "exactly the reverse"?

You can use alternatives like "precisely the opposite", "the complete opposite", or "the antithesis" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the exact reverse" instead of "exactly the reverse"?

Both "exactly the reverse" and "the exact reverse" are acceptable, but ""exactly the reverse"" is slightly more common in usage. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "exactly the reverse" and "on the contrary"?

"Exactly the reverse" emphasizes a complete opposition, while "on the contrary" introduces a statement that contradicts a previous one, but may not necessarily be its direct opposite. "On the contrary" often implies a correction or clarification.