in that very spot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in that very spot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific location or place where something occurred or is being discussed. Example: "I remember standing in that very spot when I first saw the breathtaking view of the mountains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

His roots in that very spot go back three generations.

The Guardian - Travel

A small plaque over the chest-high urinal in the men's bathroom notes that Al Capone once relieved himself in that very spot.

The New York Times - Travel

He was totally unassuming and yet there I was, standing with the person who was directly responsible for me standing in that very spot.

The Guardian - Music

Repeatedly Sergeant Brogli's team arrests dealers, and the next day, standing in that very spot, there is someone else -- or even the same person.

The New York Times

Green, real name Stephen Manderson, has a personable demeanour not entirely in keeping with the large tattoo that dominates his neck (it reads "lucky", a reference to having survived being stabbed in that very spot last year).

The Guardian - Music

And while you're looking at those photographs, new buildings are already being constructed in that very spot.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

MEXICO CITY -- As I read a recent article about the efforts of numerous families in Guerrero to locate the remains of their missing relatives, I tried to imagine what it would be like to stumble upon a patch of turned soil in the mountains of Iguala, fearing that very spot could hold a bit of a loved one.

Huffington Post

(And indeed in life: a couple was married in a submersible parked near that very spot).

The New Yorker

God only knows what took place at that very spot in the middle of the twentieth century, a couple hundred years later.

Huffington Post

The moment you open your mouth to say a prayer, whether alone at home, or with a few friends, or with a congregation of hundreds at the National Bahá'í Temple in Wilmette, Illinois, that very spot becomes a sacred space for worship of God.

BBC

"The fact that there will be an interreligious gathering affirming our commitment to peace and dialogue in the very spot that is associated with religion as an instrument of violence and hate is an extraordinary powerful message to the world".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in that very spot" to add emphasis or a sense of significance to a location, especially when describing a memorable event or a place with historical importance.

Common error

Avoid using "in that very spot" in contexts where a simple "there" or "here" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in that very spot" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the location of an action or state. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate how it pinpoints a particular location.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Huffington Post

25%

The New York Times

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, the phrase "in that very spot" is a grammatically sound and expressively precise way to refer to a location, as validated by Ludwig. While not exceptionally common, with its presence felt more acutely in news and media contexts, it provides a way to emphasize location, adding a sense of importance or emotional weight, according to Ludwig. While alternatives like "at that precise location" exist, "in that very spot" brings a unique emphasis suitable for specific descriptive needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that precise location

This alternative emphasizes the exactness of the location, similar to the original phrase.

in that identical location

Stresses that the place is the same as a previous reference.

on that exact site

This phrase focuses on the specific piece of land or area.

in that specific place

This alternative highlights a particular area without necessarily implying exactness.

at the selfsame spot

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "in that very spot".

at that very point

Emphasizes a particular position or moment in space.

on that very ground

Focuses on the surface or land, adding a sense of grounding or history.

precisely there

Indicates a location with great accuracy and emphasis.

right there

A more informal and direct way to indicate a location.

just there

A simple and direct way to indicate a nearby location.

FAQs

How can I use "in that very spot" in a sentence?

Use "in that very spot" to emphasize a particular location where something significant happened. For example: "I first met her "in that very spot" where the old oak tree used to stand".

What can I say instead of "in that very spot"?

You can use alternatives like "at that precise location", "in that specific place", or "right there" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "in that very spot"?

While "in that spot" is sufficient, adding "very" emphasizes the specific location and can add a sense of importance or emotional weight to the description. It's not inherently redundant but should be used purposefully.

Which is more formal, "in that very spot" or "there"?

"In that very spot" is generally more formal and emphasizes the location, while "there" is a more casual and general way to refer to a place.