exactly to say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly to say" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incorrect construction and does not convey a clear meaning. An example of a corrected phrase could be: "I want to say exactly what I mean."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

When I give talks, I find myself flummoxed about when exactly to say, "I have three sons".

The New York Times

I say that, and underline this point, exactly to say that growth doesn't meant to do more debt.

The New York Times

Even regarding the foreign press, the officials said, neither the memorandums nor the discussions provided guidelines on whom to contact or what exactly to say.

The New York Times

This fact is his excuse to visit as many of the planet's remaining cold places as he can, if not exactly to say goodbye then to consider the intrinsic nature of cold weather and our responses to it, and to think about what life will be like in its increasing absence.

The New York Times - Books

"It's a real dilemma for a parent to know how much to say, what exactly to say, how concerned they should be and what to do about it," said Dr. Dianne Neumank-Sztassociate associate professor in the division of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health in Minneapolis.

The New York Times - Health

"Well, there's a few," Dekker said, obviously knowing what he was about to say, but questioning how exactly to say it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Jackson would know exactly what to say, exactly when to give Lasley a nudge to make him explode, Altenberg said.

Los Angeles Times

To know exactly what to say next, you have to know exactly what was said before.

Huffington Post

I know exactly what to say to escalate something, but I know exactly what to say to get rid of something.

TechCrunch

She's told exactly what to say".

The Guardian - Music

She instructed me exactly what to say to embassy officials.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "exactly to say", consider restructuring your sentence to use phrases like "what exactly to say" or "precisely what to say" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid inserting "exactly to say" into sentences where simpler phrasing works better. Often, rephrasing to use a direct verb conjugation or a more common prepositional phrase clarifies your intended meaning and improves readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly to say" functions as an incorrect attempt to connect an adverb with an infinitive verb. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not standard English. The intended function is to modify or clarify the action of saying something, but the phrasing is grammatically flawed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly to say" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English. While it appears in some news and media contexts, this likely reflects attempts to capture informal speech or thought processes. Instead, opt for clearer and grammatically sound alternatives like "what exactly to say", "precisely what to say", or "how to put it". These alternatives convey the intended meaning more effectively and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how to put it

Focuses on the manner of expression rather than exact wording.

what to express

Shifts the focus to the content being conveyed, rather than the specific wording.

how to articulate it

Emphasizes clarity and eloquence in conveying a thought or idea.

the right words to use

Highlights the search for appropriate vocabulary in a given situation.

the best way to phrase it

Focuses on the construction of the sentence for optimal impact.

how to word it properly

Highlights correctness and precision in expression.

what to say precisely

Emphasizes the need for accuracy and exactness in speech.

how to formulate it

Focuses on the structuring of thoughts into a coherent statement.

the ideal way to express it

Focuses on achieving perfect conveyance of thought or feeling.

the correct phrasing

Highlights the importance of using grammatically and stylistically appropriate language.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct way to express a similar idea to "exactly to say"?

Instead of "exactly to say", use constructions like "what "exactly to say"", "precisely what to say", or "how to put it". These alternatives are grammatically sound and convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever appropriate to use the phrase "exactly to say" in formal writing?

Given that the phrase "exactly to say" is generally considered grammatically incorrect, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for clearer, more standard phrasing like "what exactly to say" or "the best way to phrase it".

What are some common situations where people might be tempted to use "exactly to say"?

People might use "exactly to say" when they're unsure "how to put it" or are struggling to find the right words. In such cases, it's helpful to pause and consider alternative phrasing that is grammatically correct and clearly expresses the intended meaning.

How can I improve my phrasing when I'm struggling to express something accurately?

When struggling with accurate expression, try breaking down your thought into smaller parts and then piecing them together using standard grammatical structures. Consider using a thesaurus to find more precise words and review your sentence for clarity and correctness.