no exactly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no exactly" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "not exactly"? You can use "not exactly" to indicate that something is not completely accurate or true, often used to clarify or correct a statement. Example: "When asked if he was happy with the results, he replied, 'Not exactly, there are some issues we need to address.'"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

BW: No, no, exactly.

The Washington Post

DAVID DESTENO: Yeah, no, exactly.

Harvard Business Review

Borger's reply veered toward Molly Bloom terrain: "Yes, no, exactly, exactly, exactly".

The New Yorker

We go to his performances and enjoy them, but there's a time and place for everything, no? Exactly.

The New York Times

"No, totally". "No, definitely". "No, exactly". "No, yes". These curious uses turn "no" into a kind of contranym: a word that can function as its own opposite.

The New Yorker

Had they gone out on penalties to Belgium in the second round, it would surely have been completely different (OK, they could theoretically have won on penalties, but, well no, exactly).

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

While you don't have to embrace the lifestyle, consider jazzing up your kitchen with no-exactly-meant-for-the-kitchen pieces.

WikiHow

"No, not exactly.

The New York Times

Well, no, not exactly.

The New York Times

"No, not exactly," Dahlberg said.

The Washington Post

"No, not exactly," Mr. Kling replied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for accuracy, replace "no exactly" with "not exactly". The latter is grammatically sound and conveys the intended meaning clearly.

Common error

Avoid placing "no" before "exactly" when you mean "not exactly". This simple transposition affects clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no exactly" functions as a negative modifier, attempting to express disagreement or partial inaccuracy. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, the standard English construction is "not exactly". The examples in Ludwig show usage in various contexts, often aiming for a nuanced negative response.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "no exactly" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "not exactly", which conveys a similar meaning of partial disagreement or inaccuracy. Usage contexts vary from news and media to scientific articles, but for clear and professional communication, it's best to stick to the grammatically correct alternative, "not exactly". Consider alternatives like "not quite" or "not really" for nuanced expressions. Ensure to proofread to avoid misordering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not exactly

Reverses the order of "no" and "exactly" to form a grammatically correct phrase.

not quite

Suggests something is close but not entirely accurate or complete.

not really

Indicates something is not entirely true or accurate.

not precisely

Emphasizes a lack of exactness or accuracy.

not completely

Implies something is partially but not fully achieved or true.

not entirely

Similar to "not completely", suggesting a partial but not full extent.

not accurately

Focuses on the lack of accuracy in a statement or description.

not perfectly

Highlights the absence of perfection or flawlessness.

approximately no

Indicates a near or estimated absence of something.

virtually no

Suggests something is practically non-existent or absent.

FAQs

What does "no exactly" mean?

While "no exactly" is sometimes used, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is usually conveyed by the phrase "not exactly", which indicates something is not entirely accurate or true.

How to correct "no exactly"?

The simplest way to correct "no exactly" is to reorder the words to say "not exactly". This corrects the grammar and maintains the original intent.

When is it appropriate to use "no exactly"?

Given that "no exactly" is grammatically incorrect, it's best to avoid using it in formal writing. In casual speech, it might be understood, but it's still advisable to use "not exactly" for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "no exactly"?

Instead of "no exactly", consider using phrases such as "not quite", "not really", or "not precisely" to convey a similar meaning with correct grammar.