exactly used to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly used to" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a specific past habit or state, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "I was exactly used to waking up early for work, but now I sleep in."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Eventually, though, a midfield player who is not exactly used to scoring capitalised.

Independent

But familiarity has bred content very speedily, helped by the obvious admiration of the rest of the country, which the North East isn't exactly used to.

The Guardian - Arts

However, they're not exactly used to paying for access to this video content – an obstacle that many companies today are hoping to overcome.

TechCrunch

Zuckerberg did not name any names, in terms of who exactly used to be hostile to his overtures and is now less so, but one likely candidate here is (presumably) Google.

TechCrunch

Investors aren't exactly used to betting on inventions that are as complex or forward-focused as the Neumann Drive.

Vice

Just politely say "Thanks anyway, I'm busy that weekend, but have fun!" it works like a charm, and has the added bonus of turning the rejection back on them - poplar jerks are not exactly used to being rejected, especially by nerds or whatever they call you behind your back.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A teenager who lives in the city tried to explain to me what it was like to have a number of friends or relatives murdered: "You don't exactly get used to it," he said, "but you expect it".

The New York Times

"That, I think, is pouring prejudice, which is exactly what used to happen before the law in 1999 stopped the admission of previous sexual history in order to show consent".

The Guardian

Ontologies can exactly be used to store formal knowledge such as medical terms (e.g. synonyms) and English constructs (e.g. IF...THEN).

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Not exactly the words used to describe someone who just stole a title.

Los Angeles Times

Exactly like Mom used to do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "exactly used to", opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "precisely accustomed to" or "specifically familiar with".

Common error

Avoid directly preceding "used to" with adverbs like "exactly". Instead, ensure the adverb modifies the verb that "used to" governs or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly used to" doesn't function as a standard grammatical unit in English. According to Ludwig AI, it is not correct. Although its components are valid, their combination requires rephrasing for clarity and grammatical accuracy. The intended meaning often relates to past habits or familiarity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly used to" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It's advisable to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives, such as "precisely accustomed to" or "specifically familiar with", to convey the intended meaning of precise familiarity or past habits. When writing, ensure adverbs correctly modify the intended verbs for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely accustomed to

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely" and "used to" with the more formal "accustomed to", indicating a state of being very familiar with something.

specifically familiar with

Emphasizes particular knowledge or experience, replacing "used to" with "familiar with" to highlight awareness.

definitely accustomed to

Uses "definitely" to add emphasis and replaces "used to" with "accustomed to", stressing a strong sense of familiarity.

absolutely familiar with

Similar to the previous, but uses "absolutely" for stronger emphasis, indicating complete familiarity.

completely comfortable with

Focuses on ease and assurance, replacing "used to" with "comfortable with" to express a sense of being at ease.

thoroughly versed in

Indicates deep knowledge or skill, suggesting a high level of competence.

perfectly acquainted with

Implies a comprehensive understanding, replacing "used to" with "acquainted with" to highlight detailed knowledge.

certainly experienced in

Highlights past involvement and skill, using "experienced in" to show practical knowledge.

distinctly conversant with

A formal alternative emphasizing clear and knowledgeable communication.

unquestionably proficient in

Stresses undisputed skill and competence in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I correctly express the idea of being precisely accustomed to something?

Instead of "exactly used to", you can use phrases like "precisely accustomed to", "specifically familiar with", or "thoroughly versed in" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to "exactly used to" that sound more natural in English?

Consider using phrases like "completely comfortable with", "definitely accustomed to", or "absolutely familiar with". These options offer clearer and more common ways to express familiarity or habit.

Is there a difference in meaning between "exactly used to" and "used to exactly"?

While neither phrase is standard English, "used to exactly" might suggest that someone performed an action with great precision in the past. However, it's best to avoid both and rephrase for clarity, such as "used to do precisely X".

Why is "exactly used to" considered grammatically incorrect?

The structure of "exactly used to" disrupts the standard usage of "used to", which typically indicates a past habit or state. Adverbs like "exactly" don't directly modify "used to" in this context; they should modify the action or state described by the verb that 'used to' governs. This makes the phrase awkward and unclear.