this is precisely what

USAGE SUMMARY

"this is precisely what" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is exactly the thing you're referring to. For example: "I need an apple for this recipe - this is precisely what I was looking for!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is precisely what happened.

Independent

This is precisely what has happened.

The Economist

And this is precisely what has happened.

The New York Times

This is precisely what concerns many scientists.

The New Yorker

This is precisely what Winthrop believed.

The New York Times

In fact, this is precisely what happened.

Independent

This is precisely what complicates Fwd.us's mission.

The New York Times - Tech

This is precisely what occurred here.

Harvard University

Indeed, this is precisely what I found.

Columbia University

This is precisely what we find.

The Washington Post

This is precisely what concerns the Jets.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is precisely what" to clearly and emphatically confirm that something matches an expectation, intention, or prediction. It adds a layer of exactness and leaves no room for ambiguity.

Common error

While effective, "this is precisely what" can sound repetitive if used too frequently. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "this is exactly what" or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "this is precisely what" is to serve as a declarative phrase that emphasizes confirmation or agreement. It's often used to underscore that a particular outcome, situation, or understanding aligns perfectly with a previous statement, expectation, or intention. Ludwig examples showcase diverse applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is precisely what" is a versatile phrase used to strongly affirm or confirm something. As noted by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news and academic contexts, demonstrating its widespread applicability across both formal and informal writing. While grammatically correct and highly effective, it's wise to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy. Remember to consider alternate phrases such as "this is exactly what" or "this is just what" for stylistic variation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is valid and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is exactly what

Changes "precisely" to "exactly", maintaining identical meaning but altering the specific word choice.

This is just what

Substitutes "precisely" with "just", indicating the statement aligns closely with what was needed or anticipated, but slightly less formal.

This is specifically what

Replaces "precisely" with "specifically", highlighting that something aligns with specific details or requirements.

This is indeed what

Emphasizes agreement or confirmation using "indeed", which adds a touch of formality and certainty.

That is precisely what

Changes "this" to "that", shifting the focus slightly to something previously mentioned, but maintaining the emphasis on exactness.

That's exactly what

Combines the change of "this" to "that" with the more colloquial "that's", making it less formal than the original.

This is the very thing

Replaces the entire "precisely what" portion to create a more emphatic and slightly archaic tone.

This is what I mean

Shifts focus from exact matching to expressing intention or meaning; less about exactness, more about clarifying the speaker's point.

This is the point

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the key idea or argument being made, omitting the element of precision.

This confirms it

Shortens the phrase to highlight confirmation, suitable when evidence or an outcome validates a prior statement or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "this is precisely what" in a sentence?

Use "this is precisely what" to confirm something perfectly aligns with an expectation or previous statement. For instance, "I needed a tool for this job, and this is precisely what I was looking for."

What phrases are similar to "this is precisely what"?

Alternatives include "this is exactly what", "this is just what", or "that is precisely what", each offering subtle variations in emphasis.

Is there a difference between "this is precisely what" and "this is exactly what"?

While very similar, "this is precisely what" emphasizes exactness more strongly than "this is exactly what". The difference is subtle and often negligible.

When should I avoid using "this is precisely what"?

Avoid using "this is precisely what" in very informal contexts, as it may sound overly formal. Also, refrain from overuse to prevent sounding repetitive; try to rephrase with synonyms or alternative constructions.