precisely that

USAGE SUMMARY

"precisely that" is correct and usable in written English.
It's often used to emphasize agreement with a statement. For example: Person 1: "I thought it would be best to take the bus instead of driving." Person 2: "Yes, precisely that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am embarrassed to precisely that extent.

The New Yorker

Robshaw's try came from precisely that situation.

Independent

Gold's prose has precisely that energy.

The Guardian - Books

It was founded for precisely that purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

What's less immediately clear is why, precisely, that happens.

The New Yorker

There is still wrangling over when precisely that occurs, however.

SEP

But James is precisely that guy.

Huffington Post

I like the pull-up for precisely that reason.

Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, indie studios need precisely that kind of chatter.

Los Angeles Times

And the hookup culture discourages precisely that kind of rapport.

Los Angeles Times

Legislation to do precisely that has been crafted.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precisely that" to strongly affirm or emphasize a previous statement or idea, creating a clear and concise agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "precisely that" repeatedly in close succession. While effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your responses with synonyms or alternative expressions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "precisely that" is to act as a demonstrative phrase used for affirmation or agreement. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples, demonstrating its role in echoing and reinforcing a previously stated idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precisely that" is a versatile phrase used to express strong agreement or affirmation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it is considered neutral in tone, overuse should be avoided to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "exactly that" or "just that" can be used to add variety. Ultimately, "precisely that" provides a clear and concise way to reinforce a previous statement, making it a valuable tool in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly that

Replaces "precisely" with its synonym "exactly", maintaining the same meaning.

just that

Uses "just" instead of "precisely", slightly reducing the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

that very thing

Emphasizes the specific thing being referred to, adding a touch of formality.

that's it exactly

Adds an introductory phrase to explicitly indicate agreement.

that is correct

Uses a more formal and direct affirmation.

absolutely

Offers a strong affirmation, implying complete agreement.

indeed

Provides a formal confirmation, suitable for more sophisticated contexts.

you're right

Directly acknowledges the correctness of the other person's statement.

that's the point

Highlights the significance of the previously mentioned idea.

that's the idea

Indicates understanding and agreement with the underlying concept.

FAQs

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

"Precisely that" is typically used to express agreement or confirmation. For example, "I believe we should focus on customer satisfaction." Response: "Precisely that. It's crucial for long-term growth."

What are some alternatives to "precisely that"?

You can use alternatives such as "exactly that", "just that", or "that very thing" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "precisely that" formal or informal?

"Precisely that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, phrases like "that is correct" might be preferred.

When is it best to use "precisely that" over a simple "yes"?

Use "precisely that" when you want to emphasize your agreement with a specific point or idea. It adds a layer of affirmation that a simple "yes" might lack, showing you fully understand and endorse the statement.