to put it precisely

USAGE SUMMARY

"to put it precisely" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used when one wants to be very exact and succinct when speaking or writing. For example: "The deadline for submitting the project is October 15th - to put it precisely, you must have it in by midnight on the fifteenth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Or, to put it precisely, 44 hours of theater.

The New York Times

Faced with this apparently terrifying wave of estrogen, the state's male-dominated GOP is, to put it precisely, freaking out.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But for Gingrich, the Iowa judicial battle was just another example of him determining, as The Huffington Post's Howard Fineman put it, "precisely where to place the C-4 to blow up the establishment".

Huffington Post

President Obama prefers tough love, or as he put it "... precisely because of our friendship, it is important that we tell the truth: the status quo is unsustainable, and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace".

BBC

The Wall Street Journal's Daniel Henninger put it precisely: If the Supreme Court upholds the individual mandate, the U.S. becomes France.

Huffington Post

Or, to put it more precisely, nothing ever rattles him.

The New York Times

Or, to put it more precisely, about how freewheeling debate should normally be.

The Washington Post

"Or, to put it more precisely, you have nothing inside you that you can give me.

The New Yorker

Or, to put it more precisely, you have nothing inside that you can give me.

The New York Times - Books

Or to put it more precisely, it was the end of a vanishingly brief moment in consumer history.

The New York Times - Magazine

To put it more precisely, they, and Sanders, did not sound ready for this campaign to stop.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to put it precisely" when you want to rephrase something in a more exact and concise manner. It signals to the reader that you are refining your statement for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to put it precisely" in overly casual or informal settings. The phrase has a slightly formal tone and may sound out of place in relaxed conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to put it precisely" functions as a discourse marker. It signals an intention to refine or clarify a previous statement, making it more accurate or concise. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves to introduce a more exact formulation of an idea.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to put it precisely" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a more accurate or refined statement. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. The phrase serves to enhance clarity and accuracy, signaling a shift towards a more exact formulation. When writing, reserve "to put it precisely" for situations where precision is key, avoiding overuse in overly casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be exact

Focuses solely on accuracy, omitting the act of 'putting' something into words.

in precise terms

Emphasizes the use of specific and accurate language.

to state it clearly

Highlights clarity and directness in the statement.

more specifically

Directs attention to a narrower, more defined aspect of the topic.

to clarify

Implies a need to remove ambiguity or confusion.

in other words

Indicates a restatement of the same idea in different language.

to rephrase it

Suggests rewording for better understanding.

if I may be so bold as to say

Adds a level of polite formality, implying a potentially controversial statement.

for the record

Highlights that the statement is being made officially or formally.

let me put it another way

Indicates a change in expression to achieve a better understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "to put it precisely" in a sentence?

Use "to put it precisely" to introduce a more accurate or concise restatement of a previous idea. For example, "The project needs to be completed by Friday; to put it precisely, it must be submitted by 5 PM."

What are some alternatives to saying "to put it precisely"?

You can use alternatives such as "to be exact", "more specifically", or "in precise terms".

Is it correct to say "to put it exactly" instead of "to put it precisely"?

While "exactly" and "precisely" are similar, "to put it precisely" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "To put it exactly" isn't inherently wrong, but sounds less natural.

What's the difference between "to put it precisely" and "simply put"?

"To put it precisely" aims for accuracy and conciseness, while "simply put" aims for clarity and ease of understanding, even if it means sacrificing some nuance.