was to be precise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to be precise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to clarify or specify something in a more exact manner. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for 3 PM, or, to be precise, it was set for 3:15 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There was a good deal of discussion about whether it was, to be precise, vaginal or vulval iconography, and some confusion even among the academics about which name represented which part of the female suite of sex organs.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was, to be precise, the kid at school who had a Game Gear instead of a Game Boy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He is, to be precise, Angola's minister of hotels and tourism.

The New York Times

Otherwise, of course, they are known for the money – the oligarch Suleiman Kerimov's to be precise – and plenty of it.

The Guardian - Sport

"Our focus is to be precise in detail," said Joelle Wagner Lynch, a creative writing teacher who coached the students in writing the labels.

The New York Times

In other words, Shira Tarrant's to be precise, a privilege:  .

Huffington Post

What is important is to be precise on your goals.

WikiHow

To Ortega, "all knowledge of facts" as "isolated" data, "is, to be precise, incomprehensible and can be justified only when used in the service of theory".

SEP

The ambition now is to be "so precise, so refined".

The New Yorker

This desired system behavior is to be made precise by formulating performance criteria.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

A primary goal of IGM is to be geometrically precise at the coarsest discretization level.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was to be precise" to clarify a previous statement that might be ambiguous. It's most effective when immediately following the statement you're refining.

Common error

Avoid using "was to be precise" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more concise and direct language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to be precise" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the preceding clause by offering a more accurate or detailed restatement. According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid way to clarify something. It indicates that the speaker or writer is refining a previous statement for accuracy.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was to be precise" serves as a tool for clarification and refinement, allowing writers and speakers to offer a more exact version of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable. While it appears more frequently in News & Media, and Science contexts, its neutral register makes it versatile across various forms of writing. When aiming for clarity, remember that while "was to be precise" is helpful, it's essential to avoid overuse and to ensure that it genuinely enhances, rather than complicates, your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was to be exact

Changes "precise" to "exact", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

was to be accurate

Replaces "precise" with "accurate", slightly shifting the focus to correctness rather than exactness.

was to be specific

Substitutes "precise" with "specific", emphasizing detail and particularity.

had to be precise

Changes the verb from "was" to "had", implying a requirement for precision.

needed to be precise

Similar to 'had to be precise', this highlights the necessity of being precise.

aimed to be precise

Indicates an intention to be precise, focusing on the goal rather than the state.

strived to be precise

Emphasizes the effort put into being precise.

sought to be precise

Suggests a deliberate attempt to achieve precision.

intended to be precise

Focuses on the intended outcome of being precise.

should have been precise

Expresses a missed opportunity or expectation of precision.

FAQs

How can I use "was to be precise" in a sentence?

You can use "was to be precise" to offer a more accurate or specific detail after a general statement. For example, "The meeting started at 2 PM, or, "was to be precise", at 2:15 PM."

What's a more formal alternative to "was to be precise"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "more specifically", "to be exact", or "in particular" instead of "was to be precise".

Is it always necessary to follow "was to be precise" with a comma?

Yes, it is generally best practice to set off "was to be precise" with a comma both before and after the phrase to improve readability.

When should I avoid using "was to be precise"?

Avoid using "was to be precise" in situations where brevity is crucial, as it can sometimes be replaced with a single, more direct word or phrase. Also avoid it if the statement before is clear enough and doesn't need further clarification.