exactly yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly yes" is not correct or usable in written English.
If you want to express agreement in a formal way, you can use phrases such as "precisely," "exactly," "indeed," or "absolutely." For example, "Indeed, that is a great idea."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Sarah Parish: Yes, exactly, yes.

Independent

GERVAIS: No, exactly, yes.

The New Yorker

KIERAN SETIYA: Exactly, yes.

Harvard Business Review

Me: Me, too, exactly, yes! Pam: She could use something.

The New Yorker

Gervais chooses "no," then has to add "exactly, yes" to indicate that he doesn't mean "No, Joy, you're wrong".

The New Yorker

As the fair's opening day wore on, the mood wasn't exactly "yes we can" but more "maybe we just might".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Yes, yes – exactly.

The Guardian - Books

He had never said no, but he hadn't exactly said yes either.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't know how much exactly but yes, he has definitely lost weight," says a spokesman when I call.

Independent

"No, totally". "No, definitely". "No, exactly". "No, yes". These curious uses turn "no" into a kind of contranym: a word that can function as its own opposite.

The New Yorker

The lawyer played one recording of Mr. Hussain asking Mr. Cromitie that if God asked him to "go to the jihad, would you say, 'Allahu akbar'?" "He doesn't exactly say yes, but he doesn't exactly say no," Mr. Briccetti said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "exactly yes" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "that's exactly right" or simply "exactly".

Common error

The phrase "exactly yes" reverses the standard English word order for expressing agreement. "Yes, exactly" or "exactly right" are more natural and grammatically correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly yes" functions as an affirmation, although it is grammatically unconventional. While it aims to express strong agreement, as can be seen in the Ludwig examples, its non-standard structure undermines its effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "exactly yes" attempts to convey strong agreement, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It appears infrequently and is best avoided in formal writing. More suitable alternatives include "yes, exactly", "exactly right", or simply "exactly". When expressing agreement, it's important to use standard English to ensure clarity and professionalism. Although sources are diverse, the phrase is unadvised. To improve writing it's also important to consider the audience and the type of relationship that one has with that audience in order to convey exactly the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's right

Acknowledges the correctness of a statement.

absolutely correct

Emphasizes strong agreement and accuracy.

you're right

Acknowledges the correctness of someone's statement.

precisely so

Highlights exactness and agreement.

that's correct

A more formal way of acknowledging correctness.

indeed

Confirms a statement or situation.

certainly

Expresses conviction and agreement.

definitely

Indicates a clear and firm affirmation.

absolutely

Expresses strong agreement without specifying what is agreed upon.

exactly

Indicates precision and agreement, omitting an explicit "yes".

FAQs

How can I use the word "exactly" to agree with someone?

You can use "exactly" alone as a strong affirmation, or in phrases like "exactly right", "exactly so", or "that's exactly it" to show complete agreement.

Is "exactly yes" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "exactly yes" is not grammatically correct in standard English. A more appropriate phrasing would be "yes, exactly" or simply "exactly".

What's a more formal way to say "exactly"?

Formal alternatives to "exactly" include "precisely", "indeed", or "absolutely", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "yes" to show strong agreement?

To show strong agreement, you can use phrases like "absolutely", "definitely", or "without a doubt". Consider also "precisely" or "indeed" for more formal contexts.