precisely however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precisely however" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when you want to emphasize a point while also introducing a contrasting idea, but it is better to use them separately for clarity. Example: "The project was successful; precisely, however, it took longer than expected to complete."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It is difficult to formulate this point precisely, however.

SEP

More precisely however, synthetic a priori judgments have three essential features.

SEP

Since you can't count on the trackball to scroll precisely however many steps in one roll, you'll have to swipe it several times, which is kind of a pain.

TechCrunch

The FAT is based on the randomness and sparse-ness of scatterer distributions as stated in Section 1. Speaking precisely, however, a distribution of non-overlapping scatterers cannot be perfectly random for a finite distribution density.

Earth, Planets and Space

More precisely, however, it's clear that the premolars and molars of duplicidentates have different evolutionary histories.

Plosone

But we can estimate precisely, however, the time for spindle assembly in the two cell types.

Biology Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The likelihood of an English caliphate is precisely zero, however much it suits politicians and the security lobby to claim otherwise.

The Guardian - Opinion

The amount of maximum displacement upstream was not precisely measured; however, the estimated amount of displacement was 0.3 cm eastward with a uplift of 0.9 cm at a point west of the bridge.

Earth, Planets and Space

The composition of the shell of Daphnia is not precisely known, however, amine containing proteins are likely present on the exoskeleton making it possible to biotinylate them [20].

Plosone

The DC subpopulation/s that are involved in presentation of tumor antigen in B16.OVA melanoma tumors have not been precisely identified, however, in other tumor models multiple DC subpopulations can present tumor antigen in the draining LN [45].

Plosone

The actual incidence of brain metastases is not precisely known, however studies suggest that 6 16% of patients with metastatic breast cancer develop brain metastases during their lifetime.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to express that something is accurate but also introduce a contrast, use alternatives like "exactly, but" or "specifically, yet" for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "precisely however" repeatedly in your writing, as it can sound stilted. Replace it with synonyms like "exactly nevertheless", "specifically on the other hand", or separate the words into distinct sentences to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precisely however" functions as a transitional phrase, aiming to connect a statement of exactness or accuracy with a contrasting element. Ludwig suggests the phrase isn't commonly used and offers alternatives for better clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precisely however" is a phrase used to connect an exact or accurate statement with a contrasting idea. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates that the phrase can sound somewhat awkward and recommends considering alternative phrasing for improved clarity and flow. It is used less frequently. Its usage is more common in science and news articles. When aiming for a more natural tone, separating the components into separate sentences or choosing alternatives like "exactly nevertheless" can enhance clarity. While the phrase is found across multiple sources, rephrasing can often lead to smoother and more impactful communication. Ludwig AI recommends paying attention to that.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly nevertheless

Replaces "precisely" with "exactly", maintaining a similar level of emphasis while "nevertheless" provides a slightly stronger contrast than "however".

specifically on the other hand

Substitutes "precisely" with "specifically", focusing on detail, and "on the other hand" for a clearer contrast.

that being said

Offers a transition that concedes a point before introducing a contrasting one, replacing the direct juxtaposition of "precisely however".

even so

Provides a concise way to introduce a contrasting idea, omitting the emphasis of "precisely".

yet

Offers a simpler, more direct way to indicate contrast, removing the emphasis of "precisely" and the formality of "however".

in spite of that

Emphasizes the contrast despite a previous statement, replacing the nuanced balance of "precisely however".

notwithstanding

Introduces a contrasting point while acknowledging a prior one, carrying a more formal tone.

despite this

Highlights the contrasting element by emphasizing the preceding statement, removing the precision.

all the same

Implies that despite what has been said, the situation remains the same, reducing the focus on exactness.

conversely

Introduces a statement that reverses the previous one, losing the original phrase's emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "precisely however" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, "precisely however" can sound awkward. Try rephrasing for clarity. For example: "The measurement was exact. "However", it did not account for external factors."

What are some alternatives to "precisely however"?

Consider using alternatives like "exactly nevertheless", "specifically on the other hand", or separating the words into two sentences for better flow and readability.

Is it better to use "precisely, but" instead of "precisely however"?

In many cases, "precisely, but" offers a more direct and easily understood way to introduce a contrast after making a precise statement. However, the best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "precisely however" and "exactly nevertheless"?

Both phrases connect an exact statement with a contrast. "Exactly nevertheless" may provide a slightly stronger sense of contrast than "precisely however", while still maintaining a formal tone.