unless it exactly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unless it exactly" is not complete and lacks context, making it difficult to determine its correctness in written English.
It could be used in a conditional statement where a specific condition must be met for something to happen, but it needs additional information to be clear. Example: "I won't agree to the terms unless it exactly matches what we discussed."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On Tuesday, without providing details of the disagreement, Arum said he was unwilling to sign a site agreement deal unless it exactly reflected the ticket allocation agreement that was previously made.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You don't want to copy them exactly (unless it's a standardized dance), but you can get some ideas.

WikiHow

"We don't build them unless it is exactly what the company needs.

The New York Times

That is, Proteau then says, unless it's exactly that ice time and expectation that makes Ovi so energetic.

The Guardian - Sport

The ancient Roman engineer Vitruvius opined in his magnum opus, "Ten Books on Architecture" (circa 25 B.C ., that a temple cannot be built properly "unless it conforms exactly to the principle relating the members of a well-shaped man".

The New York Times - Books

Initially set up by the leading clubs from the seven most successful countries, G-14's purpose was simply to remind Uefa that unless it delivered exactly what was wanted, a breakaway league was always a possibility.

The Guardian - Sport

Unless it's exactly the opposite: voters may want candidates and officials who face the same sort of practical limits and seem constrained by the same moral code as they do who don't swagger when they exert power, who don't get their allure from their job.

The New Yorker

Likewise, a hash-based DMCA compliance system can't tell what a file is, unless it's exactly the same as a file that has received a takedown request.

TechCrunch

The House GOP doesn't want to raise the debt limit because, as you may have noticed, there's a big ol' chunk of the House GOP that doesn't want to do shit, ever, unless it gets exactly what it wants.

Vice

Because it's not really done right unless it's done exactly the way your mama (or your grandma or your great-grandma) did it.

The New York Times - Food

The resulting annualized percentage rate cannot be predetermined unless it is known in advance exactly how much principal will be paid and when it will be paid.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unless it exactly", ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to and what 'exactly' means in that situation for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "unless it exactly" without specifying the condition or standard for exactness; otherwise, it can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unless it exactly" functions as a conditional connector, introducing a necessary condition for a particular outcome. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show its use in establishing precise requirements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unless it exactly" serves as a conditional connector, emphasizing the need for precision in meeting a specific condition. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to set strict requirements for an outcome. Though grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI emphasizes the importance of context to ensure clarity. Related phrases like "if it precisely" and "unless it specifically" offer alternative ways to express this conditional relationship with similar emphasis on exactness. Although this phrase is mostly seen across News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, ensure to specify the exact condition to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if it precisely

Replaces "unless" with "if" and emphasizes the need for precision.

unless it precisely matches

Adds the verb 'matches' to clarify the condition of agreement or conformity.

if it's an exact match

Changes the structure to an "if" condition and uses "exact match" for emphasis.

unless it specifically

Emphasizes the need for a specific condition to be met.

only if it exactly

Replaces "unless" with "only if" to indicate a stricter condition.

if and only if it exactly

Uses the formal "if and only if" to express a necessary and sufficient condition.

unless it perfectly

Emphasizes the need for perfection in meeting the condition.

except when it exactly

Uses "except when" to indicate an exception to a general rule.

provided it exactly

Uses "provided" to set a condition that must be satisfied.

contingent on it exactly

Uses "contingent on" to indicate dependence on a precise condition.

FAQs

How can I use "unless it exactly" in a sentence?

Use "unless it exactly" to introduce a condition that must be precisely met; for instance, "I won't accept the deal "unless it exactly matches our terms"".

What does "unless it exactly" mean?

"Unless it exactly" signifies that a particular outcome or action will not occur if a specific condition is not met with precision or accuracy. It emphasizes the need for exactness.

Which is correct, "unless it exactly" or "unless it is exactly"?

Both phrases are grammatically acceptable, but "unless it is exactly" is more formal and explicit, while "unless it exactly" is more concise.

What are some alternatives to "unless it exactly"?

You can use alternatives like "if it precisely", "unless it specifically", or "only if it exactly" depending on the context.