perfectly so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly so" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to emphasize agreement or confirmation of something. Example: "I couldn't agree more with your statement, it describes the situation perfectly so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These pulses are extremely regular, but not perfectly so.

The Economist

He looks at ease -- thrown together, but perfectly so.

The New York Times - Magazine

It fitted me perfectly, so I decided it was meant for me.

Independent

I'm hitting greens without hitting the ball perfectly so that's a good thing.

The Guardian - Sport

It captures those feelings so perfectly, so why wouldn't we be able to relate?

The Guardian

Fascinatingly, those pieces landed perfectly so as to form the phrase "own the weekend".

The Guardian - Sport

They play their roles perfectly, so you are tempted to give them the benefit of the doubt.

The Guardian - Music

I expected people to do it now, do it perfectly, so I wasn't like the nicest person.

The New York Times

Tan Dun wanted to mix the music and dance perfectly, so I spent a lot of time teaching the monks".

The New York Times - Arts

Only the topmost ones, out of reach, are intact, almost perfectly so — reminders of the humane sensitivity of the original design.

The New York Times

The solution: Hans said it perfectly: So the answer is 3.3, or the sum of 1 + 1/3 + 1/5 + … + 1/199.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly so" to add emphasis when you want to strongly affirm or agree with a statement. It lends a tone of certainty and completeness.

Common error

While "perfectly so" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Overuse can make your speech sound unnatural or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly so" primarily functions as an emphatic adverbial phrase. It modifies a preceding statement, lending strong confirmation or agreement. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to emphasize agreement or confirmation of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perfectly so" serves as a strong affirmation or confirmation, adding emphasis to your agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and wiki sources, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. When writing, use "perfectly so" to unequivocally endorse a statement, but be mindful of potential overuse in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "absolutely so" or "exactly so" to achieve nuanced communication. Avoid using it to express disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely so

This alternative emphasizes completeness and totality, indicating that something is wholly the case.

absolutely so

This alternative strongly affirms the truth or correctness of a statement.

exactly so

This phrase highlights precision and accuracy in agreement.

completely so

This emphasizes the thoroughness and full extent to which something is true.

quite so

This alternative offers a more subtle, yet firm, agreement or affirmation.

precisely so

This highlights the accuracy and exactness of the matter.

undeniably so

This indicates that something is so true that it cannot be disputed.

unquestionably so

This signifies that there is no doubt about the truth or validity of the statement.

thoroughly so

This emphasizes that something is true in every aspect and detail.

wholly so

This emphasizes the complete and entire nature of something being true.

FAQs

How can I use "perfectly so" in a sentence?

You can use "perfectly so" to emphatically agree with a statement or confirm its accuracy. For example: "The data aligns with our predictions, perfectly so."

What phrases are similar to "perfectly so"?

Similar phrases include "absolutely so", "exactly so", and "entirely so". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "perfectly so" formal or informal?

"Perfectly so" leans towards a slightly more formal register, but it is still appropriate in many neutral contexts, particularly in writing. It is more emphatic than a simple "yes".

Can I use "perfectly so" to disagree?

No, "perfectly so" is used to express agreement or confirmation. To express disagreement, you would use phrases like "not so", "not perfectly", or offer a contrasting viewpoint.