precisely it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precisely it was" is not correct and sounds awkward in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers due to its unusual structure. Example: "I was trying to recall the moment, and precisely it was the day we first met."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Mr. Patton's wail sounded essential then, however precisely it was deployed.

The New York Times - Arts

More precisely, it was a power play based on a bluff.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sound of it was infectious, but more precisely it was commanding.

The New York Times

He explains he sent a picture to an old friend, and the reporter asks what precisely it was.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Or to put it more precisely, it was the end of a vanishingly brief moment in consumer history.

The New York Times - Magazine

None, precisely; it was just that a nearby hotel happened to be owned by a lobbying Irishman.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

More precisely, it is June 27 , 1950

The New Yorker

More precisely, it's the first drag act.

The Guardian - Books

Or more precisely, it's "not enough to be worth it".

The New York Times - Magazine

"They call it corporal punishment," he said, "but more precisely, it's violence and abuse".

The New York Times - Sports

More precisely, it's because non-essentialist reasoning is always counter-intuitive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, prioritize clarity over adhering strictly to the ""precisely it was"" structure. Consider using alternatives like "to be precise" or "more accurately" to ensure your writing remains grammatically sound and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid directly translating phrases from other languages into English, as it can lead to awkward or grammatically incorrect constructions. The phrase ""precisely it was"" is not a standard English expression and can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""precisely it was"" functions as a clarifier or restatement, aiming to provide a more accurate detail. However, it's an awkward phrasing. As Ludwig AI points out, it is not commonly used and sounds unusual in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while ""precisely it was"" is used to offer a more accurate restatement, it is considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI marks it as an incorrect phrasing, advising against its use in favor of more standard alternatives. The phrase appears in both scientific and news contexts, but its overall uncommon frequency suggests that it's best to use clearer and more conventional expressions. Consider alternatives such as "to be precise" or "more specifically" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be precise, it was

Direct synonym substitution, maintaining formality.

to be exact, it was

Replaces "precisely" with "to be exact", maintaining the emphasis on accuracy.

more accurately, it was

Substitutes "precisely" with "more accurately", highlighting the improved correctness.

specifically, it was

Uses "specifically" instead of "precisely", focusing on particular details.

more precisely, the event was

Modifies structure to emphasize the event being described

in particular, it was

Replaces "precisely" with "in particular", emphasizing a specific instance.

to put it precisely, it was

Adds introductory phrase for emphasis on precision.

the precise detail was

Shift from whole statement to emphasize a particular detail.

if I remember correctly, it was

Adds an element of uncertainty related to memory.

the exact moment was

Emphasizes the specific timing of the event.

FAQs

What does ""precisely it was"" mean?

The phrase ""precisely it was"" is generally used to provide a more accurate or specific detail about something previously mentioned. However, it's not standard English and may sound awkward. Consider alternatives like "more precisely" or "specifically".

How can I use ""precisely it was"" in a sentence correctly?

While ""precisely it was"" is not grammatically incorrect, it's not a common or natural-sounding phrase in English. To express a similar idea, you might rephrase your sentence to use constructions such as "to be precise" or "more accurately".

What are some alternatives to ""precisely it was""?

Some alternatives to ""precisely it was"" include "to be exact", "more specifically", or simply rephrasing the sentence for better clarity. For example, instead of "Precisely it was the day we met", try "To be exact, it was the day we met".

Is ""precisely it was"" formal or informal?

Because it is not a typical English phrase, the formality of ""precisely it was"" is less relevant than its potential for causing confusion. It is generally better to opt for clearer, more conventional alternatives in both formal and informal contexts.