it exactly was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it exactly was" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in a context where you want to emphasize the exactness of a situation or statement, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "In that moment, it exactly was what I had hoped for."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There were "a lot of exaggerations," in the BBC's report, Ms. Shaaban said, "and we could see that they were not willing to take the news as it exactly was".

The New York Times

We'd get there and listen to Steve's lecture and then we would have a whole hour and a half going back to argue about now what was that thing that Steve just said and of course would couldn't agree an hour later what it exactly was because it was so different...

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But what exactly was it?

The New York Times

So, what exactly was it?

The New York Times

What it is, exactly, is hard to say.

The New York Times

What it isn't, exactly, is innovative.

The New Yorker

It won't exactly be St.

The New York Times

It hasn't exactly been fully remastered.

Independent

It won't exactly be Museum Mile.

The New York Times

"It hasn't exactly been a secret".

Forbes

Where exactly is it?".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "it exactly was" with more common alternatives like "it truly was" or "it precisely was" for improved clarity and flow.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly" excessively in your writing. While it can emphasize precision, overuse can make your writing sound stilted. Opt for more natural phrasing to maintain a smooth and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrase modifying a past state. The phrase "it exactly was" functions to emphasize the accuracy or precision of a previous condition or event. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is not standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it exactly was" is grammatically acceptable but uncommon in contemporary English. Ludwig AI indicates that it may sound awkward to some readers and suggests rephrasing for clarity. While its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts, it's essential to consider more common alternatives like "it truly was" or "it precisely was" to improve the clarity and flow of your writing. Overusing the term "exactly" should be avoided to prevent writing from sounding stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it truly was

Emphasizes the truth or reality of a past state or event.

it precisely was

Highlights the accuracy and exactness of a past condition.

it actually was

Indicates that something happened or existed in reality, often contrary to expectation.

it really was

Emphasizes the genuineness or intensity of a past situation.

it specifically was

Highlights that something was the case in a particular and defined manner.

it veritably was

Expresses that something was undeniably true or real.

it demonstrably was

Indicates that something could be shown or proven to be the case.

it factually was

Stresses that something was based on or consistent with facts.

it definitely was

Highlights the certainty or lack of doubt regarding a past event.

it undeniably was

Emphasizes that something was impossible to deny or dispute.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it exactly was"?

You can use alternatives like "it truly was", "it precisely was", or "it really was" depending on the context.

Is "it exactly was" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "it exactly was" is not a common phrase in contemporary English and may sound somewhat awkward. Consider using more conventional alternatives.

How to use "it exactly was" in a sentence?

Use "it exactly was" to emphasize the accuracy or precision of a past situation. For example: "In that moment, "it exactly was" what I had hoped for."

What is the difference between "it exactly was" and "it truly was"?

"It exactly was" emphasizes precision, while "it truly was" emphasizes the truth or reality of the situation. The latter is generally more common and natural-sounding.