it exactly like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it exactly like" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it is exactly like"? You can use the corrected phrase when making a comparison between two things, indicating that they are the same or very similar. Example: "This new model is exactly like the previous one, with just a few minor updates."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

… They don't put it exactly like that, of course.

The New York Times

O.K., fine, he didn't say it exactly like that.

The New York Times

"Do we succeed in making it exactly like hers?

The New York Times - Food

"I skated it exactly like I wanted," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Not sort of like he was saying; do it exactly like he was saying".

The New York Times - Sports

I pictured it exactly like a fireworks show, so you can imagine my disappointment years later.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

And it looked exactly like Nothing.

Huffington Post

It looks exactly like, well, a Batman costume.

Vice

"And it's like, 'How do you do it?' It's exactly like that".

The New York Times

"It's exactly like it is here.

The New York Times - Food

In fact, it's exactly like it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include a subject and verb to form a complete sentence when making comparisons. Use "it is exactly like", "this is exactly like", or a similar construction for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "it exactly like" without a verb. This omission creates a grammatically incomplete and unclear sentence. Make sure you are including a verb to create grammatically complete sentence. Example: "It is exactly like ...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it exactly like" functions as an incomplete comparative phrase. It requires a verb (e.g., is, looks, feels) to form a grammatically correct sentence. Ludwig suggests that the phrase is not correct in English and is incomplete. Examples extracted from Ludwig confirm this pattern.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it exactly like" is grammatically incorrect because it is missing a verb. While Ludwig contains several examples of its usage, these instances underscore the need for correction. The intended purpose is to express similarity, but the incomplete structure hinders clarity. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, but this doesn't validate its correctness. To ensure grammatical accuracy, it's recommended to use complete phrases such as "it is exactly like" or "it looks exactly like". Overall, mindful attention to sentence structure can significantly improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly like that

Adds specificity by referring to a previously mentioned item or concept.

precisely as

Emphasizes accuracy and adherence to a standard or instruction.

just like that

Indicates similarity with a sense of ease or suddenness.

identically to

Highlights that two things are the same in every aspect.

completely similar to

Stresses the comprehensive likeness between two things.

the spitting image of

Suggests a very close resemblance, especially in appearance.

a dead ringer for

An informal way to describe someone or something that looks exactly like another.

resembles closely

Emphasizes the degree of similarity in appearance or characteristics.

virtually the same as

Indicates that two things are almost identical but not completely.

comparable to

Suggests similarities that allow for a meaningful comparison.

FAQs

How to correctly use the phrase "it exactly like" in a sentence?

To use this phrase correctly, ensure you include a verb such as 'is', 'looks', 'feels', or 'sounds' to complete the sentence. For example, "It is exactly like this" or "It looks exactly like that".

What can I say instead of "it exactly like" to make it grammatically correct?

You can use alternatives like "it is exactly like", "it looks exactly like", or "it feels exactly like" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it exactly like" or "it is exactly like"?

"It is exactly like" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "It exactly like" is missing the verb and is therefore incorrect.

What's the difference between "it exactly like" and "exactly like that"?

"It exactly like" is grammatically incomplete and requires a verb to be correct. "Exactly like that" is an acceptable phrase when referring back to something previously mentioned or understood, serving as a shorthand.