not strictly

USAGE SUMMARY

'not strictly' is considered correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is not exactly the way it is intended or expected to be. For example, "This report is not strictly accurate due to some calculation errors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not strictly rational.

The New York Times - Food

That's not strictly true.

The Guardian - Film

It's not strictly convex.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Well, not strictly.

The Guardian - Tech

It's not strictly legal.

The Guardian

Okay, that's not strictly true.

Independent

Which is not strictly true.

Independent

Actually, that's not strictly true.

The New Yorker

Sicily is not strictly Italy.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not strictly correct.

The Economist

That is not strictly healthy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not strictly" to soften statements that could be perceived as absolute or definitive. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "not strictly" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise qualifiers might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "partially", "to some extent", or specifying the exact limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not strictly" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate that it is not entirely accurate or true in every aspect. It adds a layer of nuance, suggesting a deviation from a precise definition or expectation. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not strictly" is a versatile qualifier used to soften statements and acknowledge limitations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources. Its function is to introduce uncertainty or approximation, avoiding absolute claims. While grammatically sound, overuse in highly formal writing should be avoided. Alternatives like ""not exactly"" or ""not entirely"" can provide similar nuance. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "not strictly" to add precision and accuracy to their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not exactly

Indicates a deviation from a precise state or condition.

not necessarily

Indicates that something is not always the case.

not entirely

Highlights that something is only partially true or accurate.

not completely

Similar to 'not entirely', but emphasizes a lack of full completion.

not quite

Suggests that something is close but doesn't fully meet a certain requirement or standard.

loosely speaking

Introduces a statement that might not be precise but is generally true.

to some extent

Acknowledges that something is true, but only partially.

more or less

Suggests an approximation, implying a slight deviation from exactness.

in a broad sense

Indicates that something is being considered from a general perspective, rather than a specific one.

not in every sense

Highlights that a statement is not true from all possible viewpoints.

FAQs

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

You can use "not strictly" to qualify a statement, indicating it's not entirely accurate or true in every aspect. For example, "That rule is "not strictly enforced"".

What are some alternatives to "not strictly"?

Alternatives include "not exactly", "not entirely", or "loosely speaking". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "not strictly" or "not really"?

"Not strictly" implies a technical or formal deviation from a standard, while "not really" suggests a more general or subjective difference. Use "not strictly" when precision matters. For example, "That's "not really true" in my opinion".

What does "not strictly speaking" mean and how does it differ from "not strictly"?

"Not strictly speaking" is a more emphatic way of saying something is technically inaccurate. It is often used to introduce a correction or clarification. The meaning is similar to saying "technically speaking". Both phrases introduce a qualification.