laughing exactly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laughing exactly" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where someone is trying to specify the precise nature or manner of laughter, but it is not commonly used. Example: "When I heard the joke, I found myself laughing exactly as he had intended."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Not that he was laughing, exactly.

The New York Times - Magazine

We left the square not laughing exactly, but still chuckling.

The New York Times

Then at the House of Humor, not wanting to disappoint Ms. Boneva, I heard myself laughing, exactly as he had done.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She does a little smirk at this (she never laughs, exactly, but she will do smirking).

The Guardian - Film

We can imagine that his Ohio audience would laugh exactly as the Longacre one does at the images that fill a screen.

The New York Times

He laughs: "Exactly.

Vice

Her skill, professionalism and ability to make me laugh exactly when I needed it most meant I felt completely comfortable when she pierced my nose last year.

Vice

Her skill, professionalism, and ability to make me laugh exactly when I needed it most helped me feel completely comfortable when she pierced my nose last year.

Vice

"Anyway, fuck Pidgeon", I'm saying to Gotti and I tell him about something I studied at uni, about the Greeks having beef with the Spartans and how it was normal for the winner to go and burn the city down and rape all the women and kill all the men and he's laughing, saying exactly, exactly.

Vice

"I'm not sure whom I'm laughing at, exactly," he once said.

The New Yorker

"Sometimes there are white people laughing in exactly the wrong places.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laughing exactly" when you want to emphasize the precision or intent behind the laughter. For example, describing actors hitting comedic beats perfectly.

Common error

Avoid using "laughing exactly" excessively, as it can sound unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "laughing precisely" or rephrase for better flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laughing exactly" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, specifying the manner or precision of the act of laughing. Ludwig's examples indicate it often describes laughter that aligns with expectations or intentions. It emphasizes that the laughter occurred in a particular way.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "laughing exactly" is a less common but comprehensible way to describe the precision or intent behind laughter. While grammatically acceptable, simpler alternatives might be preferred for a more natural sound. Ludwig highlights that it is primarily used in News & Media contexts to emphasize accurate or intended comedic reactions. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying how someone is laughing and emphasizing that the laughter occurred in a particular way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laughing precisely

Emphasizes the accuracy or exactness of the laughter.

laughing with perfect synchronicity

Emphasizes the simultaneous and harmonious quality of the laughter.

laughing in perfect timing

Emphasizes the impeccable timing of the laughter.

laughing in unison

Highlights the coordinated or simultaneous nature of the laughter.

laughing at the same time

Focuses on the synchronicity of the laughter.

laughing in the correct places

Highlights the appropriateness of the laughter's timing and placement.

laughing right on cue

Suggests that the laughter was perfectly timed.

laughing in a coordinated manner

Suggests a deliberate or organized way of laughing.

laughing as expected

Implies the laughter occurred predictably or according to plan.

laughing at the intended moments

Focuses on the intended reaction to humor.

FAQs

How can I use "laughing exactly" in a sentence?

You can use "laughing exactly" to describe the precise manner or timing of laughter, such as "The audience was "laughing exactly" where the comedian intended".

What does "laughing exactly" mean?

"Laughing exactly" means that someone is laughing in a precise or intended way, either in timing, manner, or emotional expression.

What can I say instead of "laughing exactly"?

You can use alternatives like "laughing precisely", "laughing in unison", or "laughing at the same time" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "laughing exactly"?

While not a standard idiom, "laughing exactly" is comprehensible and can be used to emphasize precision in laughter. However, simpler alternatives might sound more natural.