to be exact about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be exact about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to clarify or specify something in detail. Example: "To be exact about the timeline, we need to complete the project by the end of next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Three, to be exact: about England, Ireland, and Australia.

The New Yorker

It is hard to be exact about a timetable since the Pentagon and NATO refuse to discuss it.

The New York Times

She played down the research that she had had to do for her historical novels, yet it emerged, in her answers to later questions, that she liked to be exact about all material details.

The Guardian - Books

IT IS hard to be exact about how much taxpayers' money Banespa, one of Brazil's largest publicly owned banks, has frittered away over the years in politically motivated loans that were never repaid.

The Economist

To be exact about it, it is the interface of the dying body with the Earth.

HuffPost

I recently reached out to a number of parents, six to be exact, about my concern for our children and what personal technology is doing to their minds, moods, behavior, relationships and just about everything else.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Now, however, Benetton is going to put some money where its mouth is — 500,000 euros, to be exact, or about $650,000.

The New York Times

Most held little white parking tickets with big fines -- $125 to be exact, or about the cost of dinner for two at Nick & Toni's -- for illegally parking near a beach.

The New York Times

Whitney is saying that over the next year, dozens of large issues (between 50 and 100 to be exact) are about to default on their bonds, meaning that, at least in her view, investors will be left holding "hundreds of billions" of worthless bonds -- something not even seen during the dark days of the Great Depression.

Huffington Post

Second of all, the price won't be cheap: 1098 Singaporean dollars, to be exact (which is about 780 US dollars).

TechCrunch

BuThef there is that desire, as Kim states, to use the platform she was giveryto "encourage the same empowerment factgirls and woman all over thatworld," then let it be genuine empowerment that freeshend liberates women and allows them to create their own sense ofeltlf without the pressure of retaliationecessaryublic censorship.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, follow "to be exact about" with specific details or quantifiable information to reinforce the sense of precision.

Common error

Avoid using "to be exact about" as a mere introductory phrase without delivering the promised precision. Ensure that the subsequent information provides concrete details or specific numbers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be exact about" functions as an introductory phrase, signaling that the speaker or writer intends to provide a more precise or accurate detail related to the topic at hand. It sets an expectation for forthcoming specificity, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be exact about" serves as a preface to more precise or accurate information. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct, though its usage is relatively uncommon. To be effective, always follow this phrase with specific details. While alternatives like "to be precise about" or "to be specific about" exist, the key is to ensure clarity and avoid redundancy. Ludwig's examples highlight diverse contexts, from news reporting to instructional guides, demonstrating its versatility in conveying accurate data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be precise regarding

Replaces "exact" with "precise" and "about" with "regarding", altering the prepositional construction.

to be specific concerning

Substitutes "exact" with "specific" and "about" with "concerning", changing the level of detail implied.

to be accurate with respect to

Replaces "exact" with "accurate" and "about" with "with respect to", focusing on factual correctness.

to be meticulous in terms of

Replaces "exact" with "meticulous" and "about" with "in terms of", emphasizing thoroughness and attention to detail.

to be definite on the subject of

Substitutes "exact" with "definite" and "about" with "on the subject of", highlighting clarity and lack of ambiguity.

to be rigorous when it comes to

Replaces "exact" with "rigorous" and "about" with "when it comes to", emphasizing strict adherence to standards.

to be utterly correct regarding

Adds "utterly" to emphasize correctness and uses "regarding" instead of "about".

to provide precise details on

Shifts the focus to providing details rather than being exact, using "precise" instead of "exact" and "on" instead of "about".

to clarify the specifics of

Emphasizes clarification rather than exactness, using "specifics" instead of "exact" and "of" instead of "about".

to pinpoint with accuracy

Focuses on pinpointing and achieving accuracy rather than just being exact.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "to be exact about"?

Use "to be exact about" when you want to emphasize the need for precision and accuracy in a particular context. It's useful when clarifying details or correcting a general statement.

What are some alternatives to "to be exact about"?

You can use alternatives like "to be precise about", "to be specific about", or "to be accurate about" depending on the context.

How does "to be exact about" differ from "to be specific about"?

"To be exact about" emphasizes numerical or measurable precision, while "to be specific about" focuses on providing detailed information to avoid ambiguity.

Is it redundant to use "to be exact about" if the following statement is already precise?

Using "to be exact about" before an already precise statement might be redundant. Consider omitting the phrase if the precision is self-evident.