following exactly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following exactly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done in a precise or specific manner, adhering closely to instructions or guidelines. Example: "Please ensure that you are following exactly the steps outlined in the manual to achieve the desired results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Ames isn't following, exactly, grounded as he is in the historical reality of his life.

The New York Times

"We're actually following exactly what the maritime industry has done," said the Rev. David Rider, executive director of the institute.

The New York Times

Among three electrodes studied the cermet Ni Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 electrode shows the best electrocatalytic properties resulting in the OCP values following exactly the respective equilibrium dependence.

Electrochimica Acta

At all temperatures above 200 °C, the Ni/Ni3C particles were encapsulated in three- to five-layer thick graphitic shells following exactly the surface of the Ni particles.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Osborne blames the failure of Britain to grow on the eurozone, but that argument is circular, as it is following exactly the same policy as we are.

The Guardian - Opinion

In July, he and his buddies pointed out that the Shanghai Composite stock market index was following exactly this kind of trend.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Service users were asked how closely they followed their treatment recommendations, and 46% (n = 16) reported following recommendations exactly.

BMC Psychiatry

When the command prompt opens up, type the following code exactly as it appears: When the command prompt opens up, type the following code exactly as it appears: You should get a message stating that the command completed successfully.

WikiHow

They hadn't been following me, exactly.

The New Yorker

Mr Reinfeldt's success will also be warmly welcomed by David Cameron, who is following almost exactly the same strategy as the Swedish centre right.

The Guardian

Copy the following code exactly onto it, and save the notepad.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "following exactly" when you want to emphasize the importance of precision and strict adherence to instructions, rules, or a specific course of action.

Common error

While "following exactly" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it too frequently in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider simpler alternatives like "copying" or "doing the same thing" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following exactly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig's examples show it often describes adhering strictly to procedures or guidelines.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "following exactly" functions as an adverbial phrase that emphasizes precision and strict adherence to instructions or procedures. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, with a higher prevalence in scientific and news-related domains. When using "following exactly", ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality and consider alternative phrases like "precisely adhering to" or "strictly complying with" to enhance clarity and avoid repetition. It's important to reserve its usage to scenarios where the context needs to strictly reproduce specific methodologies or guidelines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely adhering to

Focuses on the strictness of adherence.

strictly complying with

Highlights the mandatory nature of the compliance.

faithfully observing

Emphasizes the loyalty and accuracy in following.

closely adhering to

Underscores the closeness of the adherence.

meticulously following

Highlights the attention to detail in following instructions.

carefully observing

Emphasizes caution and attention in the process.

rigorously adhering to

Focuses on the strictness and thoroughness of adherence.

accurately tracking

Highlights the precision in monitoring or following a path.

strictly adhering to the letter

Adds the notion of strictly adhering to the literal interpretation of rules or instructions.

conforming precisely to

Highlights the act of matching a standard or requirement exactly.

FAQs

How can I use "following exactly" in a sentence?

Use "following exactly" to emphasize adherence to specific instructions or a precise method. For example, "The experiment requires "following exactly" the protocol outlined in the manual."

What are some alternatives to "following exactly"?

You can use alternatives like "precisely adhering to", "strictly complying with", or "closely adhering to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "following exactly the instructions" or "exactly following the instructions"?

"Following exactly the instructions" is generally preferred for its natural flow and clarity. However, "exactly following the instructions" is also grammatically correct, though it places more emphasis on the "exactly".

What is the difference between "following closely" and "following exactly"?

"Following closely" implies near adherence and approximation, while ""following exactly"" signifies strict, precise adherence without deviation.