it is not precisely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not precisely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is not exact or accurate, often in a context of clarification or explanation. Example: "The data provided is not precisely what we expected, which may affect our conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is not precisely clear how Mr. Hemler eluded detection for so long.

The New York Times

Missed Opportunities It is not precisely clear how often kidneys are discarded that might be useful.

The New York Times - Health

It is not precisely clear what role Mr. Weaver played for his $100,000 fee.

The New York Times

KOLKATA, India — It is not precisely clear when, how or by whom it was decided that goats could graze in the heart of the Old City here.

The New York Times

The UN report seems to be silent on this topic, presumably because it is not precisely a human rights abuse, which is the subject of the document.

The Economist

It is not precisely the same as the milder troubling, much as the verb worrying is not fraught with as much anxiety as the adjective worrisome.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It looks absurd, but it isn't precisely melodramatic, and Snowden seems as if he both knows what he is doing and appreciates the absurdity of it all.

The Guardian - Film

It isn't precisely job creation, but job preservation, and in one of the few arenas that can't be outsourced.

The Guardian - Opinion

The flood of films about Gallipoli – or the Battle of Çanakkale, as Turks more commonly call it – isn't precisely a coincidence, what with the centenary approaching in two years' time.

The Guardian - Film

Given the inherent opacity of the financial information that we have, it isn't precisely clear just how strong of a financial entity Bezos has purchased.

TechCrunch

So it's not precisely that Phair's artistry collapsed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not precisely" to introduce a more accurate or nuanced explanation following a potentially misleading or oversimplified statement.

Common error

Avoid beginning multiple sentences with "it is not precisely" within a single paragraph. Doing so can create a repetitive and monotonous tone. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not precisely" functions as a qualifier or a disclaimer. It is used to introduce a statement that needs refinement or correction, implying that a previous statement may be an oversimplification or slightly inaccurate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not precisely" serves as a useful tool for adding nuance and clarity to statements. Ludwig AI shows that it's grammatically correct and mostly used in News & Media and Scientific contexts. It’s a helpful way to gently correct or refine a previous statement, offering a more exact understanding. Alternatives include "it is not exactly", "it is not quite", and "it is not entirely". Remember to avoid overusing this phrase in your writing to maintain a varied and engaging tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is not exactly

Replaces "precisely" with "exactly", implying a slight shift towards complete accuracy but still indicating a lack thereof.

it is not quite

Uses "quite" to soften the negation, suggesting that something is close but not fully meeting a certain criterion.

it is not entirely

Emphasizes that something is not completely the case, allowing for partial truth or accuracy.

it is not really

Informal alternative that suggests a significant deviation from what is expected or claimed.

it is not strictly

Highlights that something does not conform to a precise definition or rule.

it is not accurate to say

Focuses on the accuracy of a statement, implying a degree of misrepresentation or oversimplification.

it is an approximation

Indicates that something is an estimated value, not an exact figure.

it is roughly

Suggests that something is an approximate value or measure, not precisely calculated.

it is a loose interpretation

Highlights that something is being interpreted in a non-rigorous or flexible way.

it is a generalization

Implies that something is being presented as a broad statement, potentially overlooking specific details or exceptions.

FAQs

When should I use "it is not precisely"?

Use "it is not precisely" when you want to indicate that something is not entirely accurate or exact, and you wish to offer a more nuanced or correct understanding. It is suitable for clarifying potentially misleading statements.

What are some alternatives to "it is not precisely"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is not exactly", "it is not quite", or "it is not entirely" depending on the context.

Is "it is not precisely" formal or informal?

"It is not precisely" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans towards a more neutral or slightly formal tone. The level of formality depends on the surrounding language and the overall purpose of the communication.

How does "it is not precisely" differ from "it is not accurate"?

"It is not precisely" suggests a lack of complete exactness, while "it is not accurate" implies that something contains errors or is factually incorrect. "It is not precisely" allows for some level of approximation, whereas "it is not accurate" indicates a deviation from the truth.