exactly what it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly what it" is not a complete or correct expression in written English as it lacks context and a verb to form a complete thought.
It can be used in a sentence where it is part of a larger phrase, typically to clarify or specify something. Example: "I need to know exactly what it is that you want me to do."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Exactly what it says.

University of California, Berkeley

That's exactly what it does.

The New Yorker

That's exactly what it is.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"She knew exactly what it was.

The New York Times

It is exactly what it sounds like.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I know exactly what it is like.

Independent

Yes, that's exactly what it is.

The New York Times

The title means exactly what it says.

The New York Times - Books

And that's exactly what it does.

The New Yorker

But everyone knows exactly what it means.

The New York Times

It's exactly what it should be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exactly what it", ensure it connects to a preceding question or statement for clarity. For example: 'Is this a scam?' 'That's "exactly what it" is.'

Common error

Avoid using "exactly what it" as a standalone sentence. It requires context to be meaningful and grammatically sound. Instead, integrate it into a larger sentence to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly what it" serves as an affirmative response, confirming the accuracy of a prior statement or description. It's often used to emphasize agreement or provide clarity, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly what it" is a commonly used expression to confirm or agree with a previous statement, emphasizing accuracy. Ludwig's AI marks this phrase as acceptable, although grammatically needing context to be a complete sentence. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as academic contexts, and maintains a neutral register. To ensure clarity in writing, integrate "exactly what it" into a larger sentence. Consider alternatives like "precisely what it is" to refine your message and avoid potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely what it is

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely" for a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing accuracy.

that's the exact truth

Replaces 'what it' with 'the exact truth' for emphasis.

it is precisely that

Inverts the structure for emphasis, highlighting the specific detail.

that's just what it is

Adds "that's just" to convey acceptance or resignation about a situation.

it is just as described

Affirms that something matches its description accurately.

that's the essence of it

Focuses on the fundamental nature or quality of something.

that sums it up perfectly

Indicates a complete and accurate summary of something.

that is the long and short of it

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that something has been fully explained.

that's the crux of the matter

Emphasizes that something is the most important point or aspect of a situation.

the very thing

Highlights an ideal or quintessential example.

FAQs

How can I use "exactly what it" in a sentence?

The phrase "exactly what it" is typically used as a response to a question or statement, confirming the accuracy of a previous assertion. For example, "Is that a new phone?" "That's "exactly what it" is."

What does "exactly what it" mean?

The expression "exactly what it" is a way to emphatically confirm or agree with a statement or description, indicating that something is precisely as it has been characterized.

What are some alternatives to saying "exactly what it"?

You can use alternatives like "precisely what it is", "that's just what it is", or "that's the essence of it" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "exactly what it"?

While "exactly what it" is commonly used in spoken and written English, it often functions as part of a larger sentence or response, rather than a complete sentence on its own. It is grammatically acceptable when used in context.