exactly useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The use of the phrase 'exactly useful' is not technically correct, as 'exactly' is not typically used in this context.
You could use the phrase 'very useful' or 'extremely useful' instead. For example, "His thoughtful advice was extremely useful - it helped me make the right decision."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But even if it is not exactly useful – where on earth, in this country, does one buy horse meat, gawlfish or sea snails?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This so-called wheat straw is the byproduct of wheat harvesting and isn't exactly useful.

TechCrunch

It's not exactly useful, but it's a fun diversion: fire it up and you can choose from a variety of body types, outfits, and accessories to make your own custom Android robot (if you've ever created a Mii on Nintendo's Wii, this should be pretty familiar).

TechCrunch

Tillerson's hawkishness is not exactly useful from Hanoi's perspective.

Huffington Post

The ensuing advice is not exactly useful per say, but their interaction is pretty adorable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But the fact that the audit process failed to highlight developing problems in the banking sector does cause us to question exactly how useful audit currently is".

The Economist

But being an expert in a single, specific memory game isn't exactly a useful life skill.

The Guardian

Exactly how useful low-Earth orbit satellites would be to domestic government users is a central question, said John Pike, a space expert and director of GlobalSecurity.org.org

The New York Times

The event was dreamt up to try and show exactly how useful the market, as a retail resource, can be: from fruit and veg to beef skirt and bacon, from household cleaning to wigs and high heels, not forgetting ribbon, roses and red snapper, Leeds Kirkgate Market has so much to offer a shopper after the unusual, a shopper on a budget, or even just a shopper who wants human interaction.

The Guardian

That doesn't exactly sound useful.

TechCrunch

I'm not sure exactly how useful these things are, but as a concept they are definitely cool.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider using "specifically useful" or "particularly helpful" instead of "exactly useful" for enhanced clarity.

Common error

Avoid relying on "exactly" to intensify the meaning of "useful". Overuse can dilute the impact; opt for stronger adjectives like "highly", "extremely", or "invaluable" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly useful" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a high degree of utility and precision. As Ludwig AI notes, while understandable, there may be clearer ways to express this.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly useful" seeks to express both the utility and precision of something. As Ludwig AI points out, while understandable, the phrasing is not standard and may benefit from alternatives like "specifically useful" or "particularly helpful". Occurring rarely, the phrase is found across news, media, and scientific contexts. For clarity and impact, consider stronger adjectives such as "highly", "extremely", or "invaluable", when appropriate. While its meaning is generally clear, it's important to consider if more common phrasing would serve your communication better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Precise utility

Replaces 'exactly' with 'precise', emphasizing accuracy in usefulness.

Particularly helpful

Substitutes 'exactly useful' with a more common expression of assistance.

Specifically useful

Replaces 'exactly' with 'specifically', indicating a particular application of usefulness.

Precisely beneficial

Emphasizes the precision of the benefit provided.

Clearly advantageous

Indicates that the usefulness is evident and provides an advantage.

Very practical

Focuses on the practical aspect of being useful.

Highly effective

Highlights the effectiveness of something, suggesting strong usefulness.

Utterly invaluable

Emphasizes the high value and usefulness of something.

Directly applicable

Focuses on the direct relevance and usefulness in a specific situation.

Absolutely essential

Highlights the necessity and extreme usefulness of something.

FAQs

What does "exactly useful" mean?

The phrase "exactly useful" suggests something is precise and helpful. However, it's often more natural to use alternatives like "specifically useful" or "particularly helpful".

Is "exactly useful" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "exactly useful" is less common. It's generally preferred to use "very useful" or phrases that convey precision in usefulness, such as "precisely beneficial".

What can I say instead of "exactly useful"?

You can use alternatives like "particularly helpful", "specifically useful", or "precisely beneficial" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "exactly useful" or "very useful"?

"Very useful" is generally more common and grammatically standard. However, "exactly useful" can be used to emphasize precision, though alternatives like "precisely beneficial" might be clearer.