not precisely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not precisely' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express that something is not completely accurate or not exactly as expected. For example: "I'm not precisely sure what time I'll be home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not precisely.

The New York Times

Not precisely, anyway.

Independent

Well, maybe not precisely.

The New York Times - Magazine

The feeling was not precisely sexual.

The New Yorker

Well, that's not precisely true.

The New York Times

This is not precisely accidental.

The New York Times

Crop load was not precisely adjusted.

Cornell University

It's nice, but not precisely for everyone.

The New York Times

Alzheimer's hereditary patterns are not precisely known.

The New York Times - Health

Il Gattopardo's meatballs are not precisely balls.

The New York Times - Food

This was not precisely spelled out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not precisely" when you want to indicate a slight deviation from accuracy without being overly critical or harsh. It's useful for softening disagreement or presenting nuanced information.

Common error

Avoid relying on "not precisely" excessively in highly formal or technical writing where more specific and quantifiable terms would provide greater clarity and precision. Opt for phrases that convey a more exact meaning if the context demands it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not precisely" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying a statement to indicate a lack of exactness or accuracy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It refines the meaning of the word or phrase it modifies, suggesting approximation rather than complete inaccuracy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not precisely" is a frequently used adverbial phrase that softens statements by indicating a lack of complete accuracy. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and its common use across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, use "not precisely" to convey approximation rather than outright error, maintaining a neutral tone. Consider alternatives like "not exactly" or "not quite" for similar meanings. However, avoid overuse in highly formal or technical contexts where greater precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not exactly

Indicates a lack of exactness, similar to "not precisely" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the deviation from an expected point.

not quite

Suggests something is close to being accurate or complete but falls slightly short.

not entirely

Implies that something is partially true but not completely so.

not really

A more informal way of saying something is not quite accurate or true.

approximately not

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the negation, highlighting that something is generally untrue.

inaccurately

Focuses on the lack of accuracy, suggesting a deviation from the correct information.

somewhat inaccurate

Highlights that the inaccuracy is moderate, not a complete falsehood.

to some extent inaccurate

Expresses that the inaccuracy applies to a certain degree or aspect of the subject.

not perfectly

Emphasizes the imperfection or lack of ideal condition rather than complete inaccuracy.

imperfectly

Highlights the presence of flaws or shortcomings in the accuracy of something.

FAQs

How can I use "not precisely" in a sentence?

Use "not precisely" to indicate something isn't completely accurate or exact, but it's close. For example, "The data is "not precisely" what we expected, but it's within an acceptable range."

What are some alternatives to "not precisely"?

You can use alternatives like "not exactly", "not quite", or "not entirely" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "not precisely" and "not accurately"?

"Not precisely" suggests a slight deviation from an expected value or condition. "Not accurately", on the other hand, emphasizes a lack of correctness. While similar, "not accurately" can imply a more significant error than "not precisely".

When is it appropriate to use "not precisely" instead of "incorrectly"?

Use "not precisely" when something is only slightly off or when you want to soften a correction. "Incorrectly" implies a more definitive mistake. For instance, "The measurement was "not precisely" 10 cm, but close." versus "The calculation was done "incorrectly"."