it just exactly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it just exactly" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or redundant.
You can use it in informal contexts where you want to emphasize precision or correctness, but it is better to choose clearer alternatives. Example: "It just exactly fits the description we were given."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Somehow I got it just exactly wrong".

The New Yorker

So when you're in the United States, do you just sit around the playground and judge other parents and say, "Oh, they do that so much better in France?" Mostly I'm just disappointed, because everybody is doing it just exactly right and I think, oh, I didn't need to write this book after all … I mean, I do see differences.

The New York Times

Were you writing for a particular network or was it just exactly what you wanted?

Huffington Post

Mission control did not become aware of the impactor's success until five minutes later at 01 57 ET. Don Yeomans confirmed the results for the press, "We hit it just exactly where we wanted to" and JPL Director Charles Elachi stated "The success exceeded our expectations".

Wikipedia

Check bags and boxes for anything out of the ordinary and always replace it exactly just as you found it!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It is not like it feels like it was just yesterday, exactly, but it's been part of my life for so long now.

Huffington Post

But the notion that America's richest executives might be unwilling to create jobs until after Obama leaves office may have some truth to it -- just not exactly the way the chamber puts it.

Huffington Post

Yeah and so there's just tremendous potential and it's just a question exactly how they choose to exploit it.

TechCrunch

It's not controlled by man, exactly, it's just put out there".

The New Yorker

According to a second school of thought, Malthus et al. weren't wrong, exactly; it's just that their timing was off.

The New Yorker

"Exactly — it's just there in you and comes from what's around you".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it just exactly", consider whether the addition of "just" adds meaningful emphasis or if a single word like "exactly" or "precisely" would suffice for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "just" excessively, as it can dilute the impact of "exactly". Using phrases like "it exactly" often results in more concise and impactful writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it just exactly" functions as an intensifier, attempting to emphasize the accuracy or precision of something. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, the use of "just" is often redundant and doesn't add significant meaning. The primary function leans toward adverbial modification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it just exactly" is an informal phrase used to emphasize accuracy, but its usage is often redundant and stylistically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates that clearer, more concise alternatives like "it exactly" or "it precisely" are generally preferred in formal writing. While the phrase does appear in some news and media contexts, it's best reserved for casual communication where the added emphasis is deemed necessary. Pay attention to the surrounding words. The sources where it's more commonly used are Huffington Post, The New Yorker and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it precisely

Replaces "just exactly" with a single word emphasizing accuracy.

it exactly

Omission of "just" makes it slightly more formal and direct.

it specifically

Highlights that something is done in a particular way.

it is spot on

An idiomatic expression indicating perfect accuracy.

it hit the nail on the head

An idiomatic phrase that conveys perfect accuracy or correctness.

it is right on target

Similar to "spot on", suggesting accuracy in achieving a goal.

it accurately

Focuses on the truthfulness and correctness of an action or description.

it correctly

Indicates that something is done without error.

it perfectly

Emphasizes the flawless nature of something.

it's bang on

A more informal, British English way of saying something is exactly right.

FAQs

How can I use "it just exactly" in a sentence?

While not grammatically standard, you can use "it just exactly" in informal contexts when you want to emphasize precision or correctness, but be aware that clearer alternatives are usually preferable. For instance, "It just exactly fits the description we were given."

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

Alternatives include "it precisely", "it exactly", or "it specifically", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

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

"It exactly" is generally considered more grammatically correct and stylistically preferable in most contexts. "It just exactly" is more informal and can sound redundant.

What's the difference between "it just exactly" and "it exactly"?

"It just exactly" adds a slight emphasis or sense of informal precision compared to the more direct "it exactly". The addition of "just" isn't always necessary and can sometimes weaken the sentence.