is not exactly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not exactly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not entirely true or accurate, often implying a degree of approximation or nuance. Example: "The weather forecast says it will be sunny, but it is not exactly reliable this time of year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is not exactly comforting.

The New Yorker

It is not exactly clear.

The New Yorker

This is not exactly persuasive.

The New York Times - Books

prose is not exactly lively.

The New York Times - Science

He is not exactly sure.

The New York Times

This surgery is not exactly life-threatening.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is not exactly Broadway Joe.

The New York Times - Sports

It is not exactly "Schindler's List".

The Economist

The total is not exactly startling.

The Economist

The subject is not exactly rare.

The New York Times - Arts

This is not exactly the same situation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not exactly" to soften a statement, suggesting a degree of approximation rather than absolute truth. For instance, instead of saying "That's wrong", you can say "That's not exactly right" to be more diplomatic.

Common error

Avoid using "is not exactly" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound hesitant and lacking in conviction. Choose stronger, more direct alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not exactly" functions as a qualifier, softening a statement to indicate that something is not completely accurate or true. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not exactly" is a versatile qualifier used to express that something is not entirely accurate or true. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider stronger, more direct alternatives for clarity. Related phrases include "is not entirely", "is not precisely", and "is not quite", each offering a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not precisely

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely", emphasizing a lack of strict accuracy.

is not quite

Offers a slightly less formal alternative, suggesting something falls short of a certain point.

is not entirely

Indicates something is not fully or wholly the case.

is not really

Provides a more casual way of expressing that something is not truly the case.

is not completely

Similar to "is not entirely", suggesting a lack of full completion or accuracy.

is not strictly

Emphasizes that something does not adhere to a rigid or precise definition.

does not fully

Highlights a lack of complete or comprehensive action or quality.

is not necessarily

Indicates that something is not always or inevitably true.

is somewhat different

Shifts the focus to difference rather than exactness, implying a partial deviation.

falls short of being

Expresses that something does not achieve a certain standard or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "is not exactly" in a sentence?

You can use "is not exactly" to express that something is not entirely accurate or true. For example, "The report is not exactly correct, but it provides a good overview".

What's a more formal way to say "is not exactly"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "is not entirely" or "is not precisely".

What can I say instead of "is not exactly" to sound more casual?

In more casual contexts, alternatives like "is not quite" or "is not really" can be suitable.

Is there a subtle difference between "is not exactly" and "is not entirely"?

While similar, "is not exactly" often implies a specific point of inaccuracy, whereas "is not entirely" suggests a more general lack of completeness. For example, "The copy is not exactly a duplicate of the original because of some minor edits" versus "The task is not entirely finished; some details are still missing".