to be more exact

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be more exact" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to be more precise and give an exact detail. For example, "I'm looking for a car that seats five people, to be more exact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or to be more exact, bosh, bosh.

The New York Times

Or to be more exact, he might have been writing about his own writing.

The New York Times - Books

Or to be more exact, even though she made me smell more than usual.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Enter Luke Lexton, or Luke Welling, to be more exact, the new stable hand.

The Guardian

To be more exact, most of the media are concentrating their energy on those absorbing topics.

The Guardian

To be more exact, you 'read law review articles, then write more law review articles.

Yale University

To be more exact, 23,082 as of 11 25 a.m., Eastern Thursday.

The Washington Post

Or, to be more exact, a series of posts about a visit to McDonald's to buy a milkshake.

The Guardian

Well, somehow, Travolta's been completely upstaged by a character who actually is on cocaine, or was, to be more exact.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So what role will government – or to be more exact, education – need play in this evolving debate?

The Guardian

She doesn't know what she's missing; she knows she's missing something (or someone, to be more exact).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse; while useful, relying too heavily on "to be more exact" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your clarifying phrases.

Common error

Don't use "to be more exact" when the initial statement is already perfectly clear. It should only be used when further clarification or precision is genuinely needed, not as filler.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be more exact" functions as a discourse marker or a connector. It serves to introduce a refinement, clarification, or a more precise version of a previously stated idea or fact. This function is evident in many examples provided by Ludwig, where it precedes a more accurate or detailed statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be more exact" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a more precise or refined version of a previous statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. To enhance your writing, use it to clarify potential ambiguities, but avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as "more precisely" or "specifically speaking" can offer variety. Understanding its function and purpose helps ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more precisely

This alternative offers a concise way to emphasize accuracy and precision.

to put it more accurately

Suggests a correction or refinement of a previous statement.

specifically speaking

Highlights that the speaker is about to provide more detail and focus.

in greater detail

Implies a deeper explanation will follow.

to clarify further

Indicates that additional explanation is needed.

in actual fact

Used to introduce a more accurate or surprising detail.

for clarity's sake

Emphasizes the intention to make something easier to understand.

in other words

Rephrases the previous statement for better understanding. The meaning will remain as close as possible to QUERY.

if you want the precise details

Used to introduce very specific information.

to give a clearer picture

Suggests providing a more understandable or detailed explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "to be more exact" in a sentence?

Use "to be more exact" to refine or correct a previous statement by providing more precise information. For instance, "I need three apples, "to be more exact", I need three Granny Smith apples."

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

Alternatives include "more precisely", "specifically speaking", or "in actual fact", depending on the context and the level of detail you wish to provide.

Is it always necessary to use "to be more exact" when providing additional details?

No, it's not always necessary. Use it when the initial statement could be misinterpreted or when the additional details significantly enhance understanding. If the initial statement is already clear, adding "to be more exact" might be redundant.

What's the difference between "to be more exact" and "in other words"?

"To be more exact" is used to provide a more precise detail, while "in other words" is used to rephrase something for clarity. The first refines, the second explains.