take it exactly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take it exactly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to follow instructions or a request precisely without any alterations. Example: "When you complete the assignment, please take it exactly as I outlined in the guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

My mistake is, I take it, exactly part of Mr. Taylor's intention.

The New York Times - Arts

I loved the role of Samantha Taggart and I was excited to take it exactly for those reasons.

Huffington Post

Take it exactly as your doctor says.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I took it exactly the opposite way," Sanders told ABC.

Los Angeles Times

He knows baseball is a business, and he took it exactly as that.

Los Angeles Times

The Union's governments should take it up for exactly as long as it takes to dump it in the nearest bin.

The Economist

It is a work in progress and it will take time to get it exactly how we want it," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, told the BBC the department had needed to take time "to get it exactly right", but has now given the project the go-ahead.

BBC

You put it together and you bake it slow and then you watch it like a hawk and take it out at the exactly right time.

The New York Times

"I told everyone to take it seriously and do exactly what it says in the script," he says, "but it is still very camp".

The Guardian - Music

He has to get in, get acclimated with the team, get his fitness 100 percent up and then we'll take it from there about exactly where and when he'll fit in".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical contexts, "take it exactly" is useful to stress adherence to medical directions. Example: "To guarantee the medicine's effectiveness, take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor."

Common error

While "take it exactly" is grammatically correct, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or even demanding. In less formal situations, consider softer alternatives like "follow it closely" or "do it just like this" to maintain a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take it exactly" functions as a directive, urging precise adherence to instructions or a prescribed method. As illustrated by Ludwig, it emphasizes the importance of accuracy and leaves no room for deviation. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take it exactly" is a grammatically sound directive used to emphasize the importance of precision and accuracy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While appropriate for neutral to professional contexts such as news, business, and medical settings, it may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Alternatives such as "follow it precisely" or "adhere to it strictly" offer similar meanings with potentially softer tones. When using "take it exactly", ensure the context warrants the directness to avoid sounding overly demanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow it precisely

Focuses on adhering to something with exactness and care.

adhere to it strictly

Emphasizes a rigid and unwavering compliance.

do it to the letter

Highlights following instructions with complete accuracy.

implement it faithfully

Stresses the importance of maintaining the original intent during execution.

execute it verbatim

Implies performing something in the exact words or manner as specified.

reproduce it accurately

Focuses on creating a precise copy or representation.

apply it rigorously

Suggests a thorough and exacting application of a method or rule.

interpret it literally

Highlights understanding something in its most direct and straightforward sense.

understand it explicitly

Emphasizes a clear and unambiguous comprehension.

duplicate it perfectly

Stresses the intention to create an identical copy, free of any error.

FAQs

How can I use "take it exactly" in a sentence?

You can use "take it exactly" to emphasize the importance of following instructions or guidelines precisely. For example, "If you want the experiment to work, you need to "follow the instructions exactly" and "take it exactly as I said."

What does "take it exactly" mean?

"Take it exactly" means to adhere strictly to a given set of instructions, a plan, or a prescription, without any deviation. The phrase highlights the importance of precision and accuracy.

What can I say instead of "take it exactly"?

You can use alternatives like "follow it precisely", "adhere to it strictly", or "do it to the letter" depending on the context.

Is "take it exactly" formal or informal?

"Take it exactly" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly formal. While it's grammatically correct and understandable in most contexts, it can sometimes sound a bit stern or demanding in casual conversation. Consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase.