that's exactly right

USAGE SUMMARY

"that's exactly right" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to confirm that something is accurate, correct, or precisely as it should be. It can also be used to express agreement or emphasize a similar sentiment. Example: "After hours of deliberation, the panel finally reached a decision. And I have to say, that's exactly right. Our top three candidates have all demonstrated exceptional skills and qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Futterman wrote, "The New Directions break into a restrained, tender take on "Pure Imagination" with lush harmonies on the chorus that's exactly right for the moment".

Wikipedia

Your natural output, drained of concern for creating something that's exactly right, will always produce creative results.

WikiHow

"And that's exactly right.

The New York Times

"That's exactly right, Alan".

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Obama: That's exactly right.

The New York Times

MR. TRIBE -- That's exactly right.

The New York Times

"That's exactly right!" their mother almost shouted.

The New York Times

"That's exactly right," Sergeant McRae said.

The New York Times

"That's exactly right!" Mr. Wedes exclaimed.

The New York Times

"Yes, that's exactly right," Mr. Lord said.

The New York Times

You talk about a decathlon, and that's exactly right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's exactly right" to concisely confirm information or express agreement with a statement.

Common error

Avoid using "that's exactly right" repetitively in a conversation. Vary your responses with alternatives like "I agree", "that's correct", or "precisely" to maintain engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's exactly right" functions as an affirmative response, used to confirm the accuracy of a statement or express agreement. According to Ludwig, it's a straightforward way to validate information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that's exactly right" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to confirm or express strong agreement with a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically used to confirm that something is accurate, correct, or precisely as it should be. It finds frequent use across various contexts, especially in News & Media, although it is suitable for both formal and informal situations. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrases such as "that's perfectly correct" or "I couldn't agree more" to add variety to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's perfectly correct

Replaces 'exactly right' with 'perfectly correct', emphasizing precision.

that's absolutely correct

Substitutes 'exactly' with 'absolutely', strengthening the agreement.

that's spot on

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey perfect accuracy or agreement.

you're absolutely right

Shifts the focus to the person being correct, adding emphasis.

that's precisely accurate

Replaces 'exactly right' with 'precisely accurate', highlighting exactness.

that's completely true

Emphasizes the truthfulness of the statement rather than exactness.

that's right on the money

Uses an informal idiom to indicate perfect accuracy or agreement.

that's just what I was thinking

Expresses agreement by indicating a shared thought.

I couldn't agree more

Indicates strong agreement, often in response to a detailed statement.

that's my understanding as well

Conveys agreement based on personal understanding and knowledge.

FAQs

How to use "that's exactly right" in a sentence?

Use "that's exactly right" to confirm the accuracy of a statement or express strong agreement. For example, "So, the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday? That's exactly right."

What can I say instead of "that's exactly right"?

You can use alternatives like "that's perfectly correct", "you're absolutely right", or "that's spot on" depending on the context.

Is "that's exactly right" formal or informal?

"That's exactly right" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings, though slightly more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional contexts.

When is it inappropriate to use "that's exactly right"?

Avoid using "that's exactly right" when the statement being confirmed is subjective or based on personal opinion rather than factual information. It is best used when affirming something verifiable.