that's exactly it

USAGE SUMMARY

"that's exactly it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has articulated something correctly or completely. For example, you could say, "My boss asked me to do a straightforward task, and when I described it the way I wanted to do it, he said, 'That's exactly it.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Eddy: Yep – that's exactly it.

TechCrunch

"My general attitude toward regulation is that you let things go until they require adult supervision," says Mr. Farber of the F.C.C. "In Japanese, the idea translates to 'the sacred sword of last resort.' That's exactly it; that's its proper place".

The New York Times

That's exactly it".

The New York Times

And that's exactly it.

The Guardian - Books

"That's exactly it!" says Driver.

Independent

"That's exactly it!" exclaimed Backes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

DH: I think that's exactly it--you hit it on the head.

Huffington Post

That is exactly it.

The New York Times

"And that is exactly it," McIntyre says.

Huffington Post

By chance, that is exactly what it is now.

The Economist

And in a way that was exactly what it was.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate "that's exactly it" in dialogues or conversational writing to create a natural and authentic tone.

Common error

While effective in informal settings, avoid relying on "that's exactly it" in formal documents. Opt for more precise and professional language to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's exactly it" functions as an interjection of agreement and confirmation. It's used to validate a statement or idea presented by someone else, indicating complete understanding and concurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that's exactly it" is a common phrase used to express complete agreement and confirmation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, this expression serves to validate statements or ideas, signaling understanding and concurrence. While appropriate for neutral to informal settings, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "that's spot on" or "that's absolutely right" to diversify your expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's it exactly

Reorders the phrase for a slightly different emphasis, maintaining the same meaning.

that's spot on

Replaces "exactly it" with a more informal idiom indicating perfect accuracy.

that's precisely correct

Emphasizes correctness with a more formal tone by using "precisely" instead of "exactly".

that's right on the money

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of being perfectly correct or accurate.

that's perfectly accurate

Substitutes "exactly it" with a more descriptive term "perfectly accurate".

that's absolutely right

Adds emphasis to the agreement by using "absolutely" to reinforce the correctness.

you've hit the nail on the head

Uses a common idiom to indicate that someone has identified the exact problem or solution.

that's just the ticket

Uses an idiomatic expression to say that something is exactly what is needed.

that's the precise point

Focuses on confirming a specific point or idea rather than a general statement.

you nailed it

A more concise and informal way to express that someone has gotten something exactly right.

FAQs

How can I use "that's exactly it" in a sentence?

You can use "that's exactly it" to express complete agreement or confirmation. For instance, if someone explains a complex idea and you fully understand, you can respond with, "That's exactly it".

What are some alternatives to "that's exactly it"?

You can use alternatives like "that's spot on", "you've hit the nail on the head", or "that's absolutely right" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "that's exactly it" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that's exactly it" is generally more suited for informal conversations. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "that is precisely correct" or "that is perfectly accurate".

What does "that's exactly it" imply?

"That's exactly it" implies complete agreement and understanding. It confirms that what was said or described is entirely accurate and aligns with your own understanding or perspective.