it was exactly that

USAGE SUMMARY

"It was exactly that" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something was the exact thing you were referring to. For example, "I wanted to buy a new phone, and it was exactly that when I saw it in the store!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

It was exactly that interesting.

The Guardian - Sport

And it was exactly that - hogwash.

The Guardian

It was exactly that mark that won her bronze.

The Guardian - Sport

It was exactly that spirit of openness and acceptance that was attacked on 9/11.

The New Yorker

It was exactly that state of ruination, pleading for redemption, that appealed to my grandmother.

The New York Times

It was exactly that environment that I needed a break from.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

But we both realized that it is exactly that starchiness that gives risotto its texture.

The New York Times - Food

It's exactly that mentality.

The New York Times

But it's exactly that".

The Guardian - Music

The good news about Sweden is that it's exactly that kind of place.

The Guardian - Business

It is exactly that: sponge cake with some plums in it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was exactly that" to reinforce the accuracy of a statement or to confirm a prior description. For example, "The movie was described as a thrilling adventure, and it was exactly that."

Common error

Avoid using "it was exactly that" as a vague substitute for a more descriptive and specific phrase. Always ensure that the 'that' refers to a clearly defined concept or situation previously mentioned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was exactly that" functions as a confirmatory statement, affirming that something aligns precisely with a prior description, expectation, or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its common use. The examples demonstrate its role in emphasizing accuracy and agreement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was exactly that" is a commonly used phrase employed to confirm or emphasize the precision of a match or description. Ludwig AI highlights its proper and frequent usage across varied contexts, especially within news and media. Although grammatically correct, it should be used thoughtfully to avoid vagueness. Related alternatives such as "that was precisely it" or "it was precisely that" offer similar emphasis with minor tonal variations. Be sure to reference clearly defined concepts for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's precisely it

Emphasizes exactness and confirmation; uses stronger wording.

that's just what it was

Highlights that the description perfectly matches the reality.

it was precisely that

Replaces 'exactly' with 'precisely' for a more formal tone.

that's the exact thing

Focuses on the thing itself being exact, rather than the description.

it matched that perfectly

Highlights the perfect match between two things.

it was precisely as described

Indicates an accurate prior description.

that's the spitting image of it

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a very close resemblance.

it was the epitome of that

Emphasizes that something is a perfect example.

that's a dead ringer

Employs informal language to mean it is a perfect match.

it aligned perfectly with that

Focuses on alignment or agreement rather than exactness.

FAQs

How can I use "it was exactly that" in a sentence?

Use "it was exactly that" to confirm or emphasize that something matched a previous description or expectation. For example, "The book was called captivating, and "it was exactly that"."

What are some alternatives to "it was exactly that"?

Alternatives include "that was precisely it", "it was precisely that", or "that was just what it was", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "it is exactly that" instead of "it was exactly that"?

The tense depends on the context. "It is exactly that" is correct when referring to something currently true, while "it was exactly that" refers to something in the past.

What's the difference between "it was exactly that" and "it was similar to that"?

"It was exactly that" indicates a perfect match or confirmation, whereas "it was similar to that" suggests resemblance but not identity. "It was exactly that" implies no difference; it was similar suggests some differences existed.