exact
exact — adjective
1. describes a measurement, amount, description, or copy that matches its real sour
describes a measurement, amount, description, or copy that matches its real source in every single part, with no detail being different or guessed.
Lauren measured the window space and gave the exact dimensions to the carpenter.
collocation: exact dimensions
The museum displayed an exact replica of the ancient statue, including every crack.
collocation: exact replica
Zayd told the courier a rough area, not the exact street for the Kyoto bookshop.
An exact count of the migrating birds was taken by the research team each morning.
These two paintings look the same, but they are not exact copies of each other.
- approximate
close but not completely correct in every detail
- inexact
containing errors or guesses
用法筆記
Frequently paired with nouns that refer to quantities, positions, or reproductions (amount, time, location, copy, words). The adverb exactly is much more common in spoken English.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe a method, instrument, or field of study that follows fixed rule
used to describe a method, instrument, or field of study that follows fixed rules and produces results clear enough to be measured or repeated without variation.
Physics is an exact science because gravity pulls at the same rate every time.
collocation: exact science
The laboratory thermometer provided exact readings of the water temperature every minute.
Building a bridge requires exact calculations of weight, wind, and material strength.
History is not an exact science; human events, unlike chemical tests, cannot be re-run.
The team followed an exact procedure to test the new drug on the samples.
- inexact
not following strict rules or producing consistent results
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrase 'exact science', which is often used in negative or contrastive statements (e.g., 'marketing is not an exact science'). The noun being described is typically a method, field, or tool rather than a single object.
常見錯誤
3. used when the meaning or nature of something could be understood in more than on
used when the meaning or nature of something could be understood in more than one way, and you want to say which interpretation is the correct or intended one.
The exact meaning of the ancient poem has been debated by scholars for decades.
collocation: exact meaning
Linguists still disagree on the exact definition of the word 'consciousness'.
collocation: exact definition
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown despite weeks of investigation.
Ayana asked the lawyer to clarify the exact terms of the contract before signing.
- vague
not clearly expressed or defined
用法筆記
Often appears before abstract nouns (meaning, definition, nature, terms, cause) where there is genuine uncertainty or debate about what is true. The focus is on pinning down something that is not immediately obvious.
exact — verb
1. to demand payment, obedience, a promise, or revenge from someone and succeed in
to demand payment, obedience, a promise, or revenge from someone and succeed in getting it, often through the use of power, authority, or intimidation.
The general exacted total loyalty from every soldier under his command.
pattern: exact + noun + from + person
The kidnappers exacted a two-million-dollar ransom for the safe return of the child.
Jude swore he would exact revenge on the men who had betrayed his family.
Landlords in the crowded city exacted unfairly high rents from new immigrants.
Reema exacted a written promise from her cousin before lending him ten thousand dollars.
文法句型
exact + noun + from + person
用法筆記
Strongly formal or literary in tone. The object is almost always something abstract or valuable (obedience, payment, revenge, a promise, a price). Subject is typically a person or institution in a position of power.
常見錯誤
2. to require or cause something difficult, costly, or unpleasant as a natural resu
to require or cause something difficult, costly, or unpleasant as a natural result of a particular situation or action.
Years of caring for her sick mother exacted a heavy emotional toll on Talia.
collocation: exact + toll
The drought exacted a terrible price from farming communities across the region.
collocation: exact + price
Working two jobs exacted Hyun's energy, leaving him too tired even to cook.
The long war exacted a high cost in both money and human lives.
Iker's training schedule exacted strict discipline from him, forcing him to wake before dawn.
- spare
to save someone from having to give something
文法句型
exact + toll/price/cost + on/from + noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually an event, condition, or situation (not a person). The object is typically one of three nouns: toll, price, or cost. Unlike sense 1 of the verb, there is no intention or force involved — the demand is a natural outcome of circumstances.