exactly them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly them" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize a specific group or individuals, but it is better to clarify the meaning. Example: "I was looking for the right candidates, and exactly them stood out from the rest."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Notifications can be set for employees, too, to alert you exactly them a payment has been received.

TechCrunch

Of course because the other sites also use Google Maps in their mashup, there is nothing to stop all of them implementing exactly them same feature in their future versions.

TechCrunch

"All I can do is be exactly me," he said, "and hope that connects with people that are wanting to be exactly them".

Huffington Post

"It was exactly them," reads the claim filed by the state on Aug. 31, "who by acting falsely within the social networks, provoked the tumult, disorder and anxiety among society in general". Martinez had tweeted about a supposed attack at a primary school in the municipality of Boca del Rio, next to the city of Veracruz.

Los Angeles Times

Never try to be exactly them just make it and use them as guidelines.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They look exactly like them.

The Guardian - Music

Everyone they knew agreed exactly with them.

The New York Times

"I still don't exactly see them.

The New Yorker

It's difficult to exactly align them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But I wouldn't exactly recommend them".

The New York Times

And you can't exactly blame them.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exactly them", consider whether a more specific or conventional phrase would enhance clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly them" when a clearer phrase like "specifically them" or "precisely those individuals" would reduce potential for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly them" functions as a determiner phrase, aiming to specify a particular group. As Ludwig indicates, it might not follow standard grammatical rules. Thus, it is advisable to use alternative expressions, as the provided examples and usage contexts suggest that clarity might be compromised.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly them" is used to specify a certain group but is not always grammatically standard. Ludwig suggests that while understandable, it is advisable to use clearer alternatives like "specifically them" or "precisely those individuals" to avoid ambiguity. The phrase appears mostly in news and media contexts. Given the grammatical reservations indicated by Ludwig, writers should exercise caution and consider clearer phrasing for better communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely them

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely", emphasizing accuracy in identifying the group.

specifically them

Uses "specifically" to highlight that the group is being singled out.

just them

Shortens the phrase, focusing on the exclusivity of the group.

those exact individuals

Replaces "them" with a more formal term clarifying that people are concerned.

those particular people

Emphasizes the selection of a certain group of people out of many.

that very group

Highlights the pointedness of designating only the named entity.

the very ones

This alternative is more emphatic, highlighting the importance or uniqueness of "them".

the identical ones

This alternative uses "identical" to stress the precise match with a prior reference.

the aforementioned people

Refers back to a previously mentioned group of people more formally.

the very persons in question

A formal alternative that emphasizes the individuals being discussed or investigated.

FAQs

What does "exactly them" mean?

The phrase "exactly them" is used to emphasize that a specific group or individuals are being referred to. However, it's not standard English and can be ambiguous. Consider using alternatives like "specifically them" or "precisely those" for better clarity.

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

While not grammatically incorrect, using "exactly them" might sound awkward. For example, instead of saying "I need exactly them for the job", consider saying "I need "specifically them"" or "I need "precisely those" individuals for the job".

What can I say instead of "exactly them"?

You can use alternatives like "precisely them", ""specifically them"", or "just them" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "exactly them" or "specifically them"?

"Specifically them" is generally preferred because it is clearer and more grammatically standard than "exactly them". It clearly indicates that you are referring to a particular group of people.