it is not strictly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not strictly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something does not adhere to a strict definition or rule, often implying some flexibility or nuance. Example: "While the guidelines suggest a specific approach, it is not strictly necessary to follow them to the letter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While it is not strictly legal to smoke cannabis here, its use is tolerated.

BBC

With the present setting it is not strictly true that the impulse response has its support on the positive half axis.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

It is not, strictly speaking, a proper scoring rule; that is, its maximum value can also be obtained when the predictions are not equal to the true probabilities.

Critical Care

At the same time, it is not strictly realistic.

The New York Times

It is not strictly true that Jews don't fish.

The Guardian - Travel

Of course, it is not strictly a departure from Crick's dogma.

The Economist

Majia seems to disregard the law, largely because it is not strictly enforced.

The New York Times

(Because it is not — strictly speaking — necessary, alcohol was in short supply).

The New Yorker

So this is Lévy's first collection, and it is not strictly his.

The New York Times

"It is not, strictly speaking, a language-learning class," said Mr. Slepovitch, 32.

The New York Times

It has a very bitter taste, although it is not strictly poisonous.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not strictly" to introduce a nuanced perspective, indicating that while a general rule or expectation exists, there are exceptions or alternative considerations that apply.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not strictly" without explaining the deviation or alternative being considered. Always follow up with specific details or reasons why the statement isn't entirely accurate to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not strictly" functions as a qualifier, softening the impact of a statement by indicating that it is not entirely or universally true. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase helps introduce nuance. It suggests the presence of exceptions or alternative perspectives to consider.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is not strictly" serves as a qualifier, adding nuance to statements by suggesting that rules or expectations may have exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms that this is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Science. Its purpose is to refine information and provide clarity, acknowledging complexities. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, using it effectively requires specifying the deviations to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases include "it is not necessarily", "it is not entirely", and "it is not absolutely".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's not entirely

Emphasizes that something is partially but not completely true or applicable.

it is not necessarily

Indicates something is not always the case or a requirement.

it is not absolutely

Suggests something may have exceptions or not be universally valid.

it is not completely

Highlights that something is partially but not fully the case.

it's not exactly

Indicates a slight deviation from a precise description or condition.

it isn't literally

Implies a figurative rather than a literal interpretation.

it doesn't perfectly

Conveys that something is close but not flawless.

it is not a prerequisite

Specifies that something isn't an essential condition.

it isn't compulsory

Implies that something is optional, not obligatory.

it isn't mandatory

Indicates something is not an enforced requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not strictly" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not strictly" to indicate that something does not perfectly adhere to a rule or definition. For example, "While the recipe calls for a specific ingredient, "it is not strictly" necessary to use it."

What phrases are similar to "it is not strictly"?

Similar phrases include "it is not necessarily", "it is not entirely", or "it is not absolutely", all of which express a degree of flexibility or exception to a rule.

When is it appropriate to use "it is not strictly" in writing?

Use "it is not strictly" when you want to acknowledge a general guideline or expectation, but clarify that there are situations where it doesn't fully apply. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Is "it is not strictly" formal or informal?

"It is not strictly" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its use depends more on the content and the need for qualification rather than the register of the writing.