exactly

exactly — adverb

1. used to say that every part of a piece of information is completely correct, wit

1.副詞A2
釋義

used to say that every part of a piece of information is completely correct, with no mistakes or guesses

例句

Can you tell me exactly where the train station is?

exactly + where for precise location

After trying five different models, Trang found exactly the lightweight laptop she wanted for her travels.

exactly the + noun phrase for precise match

同義詞
  • precisely

    more formal, often used in academic or technical contexts

  • just

    less formal, common in everyday speech ('just where do you think you're going?')

反義詞
  • approximately

    suggests a rough estimate rather than an exact figure

  • roughly

    informal opposite, used for non-precise amounts

文法句型

exactly + wh-word (what/where/when/who/why/how)

exactly + number/amount/time

用法筆記

Commonly placed before question words (what, where, when, who, why, how) to ask for precise details, or before numbers, times, and amounts to indicate an exact value. In questions, it signals that the speaker wants a specific answer, not an approximation.

常見錯誤

❌Tell me where exactly is the station.
✅Tell me exactly where the station is.
💡'exactly' must come before the question word, not after it.

2. used to emphasise that a statement is completely true, or to express strong agre

2.副詞A2
釋義

used to emphasise that a statement is completely true, or to express strong agreement with what someone has just said

例句

That is exactly what I meant when I said we should wait.

exactly what + clause for emphatic clarification

For his three-day trip to the conference, Walid needs exactly two hundred dollars for the train fare and hostel.

exactly + amount for precise quantity emphasis

同義詞
  • precisely

    more formal; 'Precisely!' can replace 'Exactly!' in formal contexts

  • just

    more informal, as in 'just what I needed'

反義詞

文法句型

exactly + the same + noun

exactly + what/where/when + clause

Exactly! (standalone response)

用法筆記

When used alone as a one-word reply (Exactly!), it means 'You are completely right' or 'That is precisely what I think.' This standalone use is very common in conversation.

常見錯誤

❌It is exact the same colour.
✅It is exactly the same colour.
💡'exact' is an adjective; use the adverb 'exactly' before 'the same.'

3. qualifies a description that comes close to being accurate but has a small diffe

3.副詞B1
釋義

qualifies a description that comes close to being accurate but has a small difference — here the description is nearly right and needs only slight adjustment, whereas Sense 4 signals the statement IS actually not true and politely corrects it

例句

The sofa is dark green — or not exactly green, more like olive.

not exactly + adjective for self-correction

Jin is not exactly a beginner at cooking, but he still follows every recipe closely.

not exactly + noun for mild qualification

同義詞
  • not quite

    similar meaning, slightly less formal

  • hardly

    stronger negation, implies 'almost not'

反義詞
  • exactly

    the affirmative counterpart — 'exactly a beginner' would mean fully a beginner

文法句型

not exactly + adjective/noun

用法筆記

This sense uses 'not exactly' as a hedging device — the speaker is qualifying or fine-tuning a description rather than fully rejecting it. The tone is neutral and factual, not sarcastic.

常見錯誤

❌ 'He is not exactly a beginner' when you mean he IS a beginner. — 'not exactly' here means 'not completely,' so if he truly is a beginner, just say 'He is a beginner.'

4. serves as a polite signal that a statement does not fully match the facts or rea

4.副詞B1
釋義

serves as a polite signal that a statement does not fully match the facts or reality, often preparing the listener for a correction

例句

That restaurant is not exactly cheap — dinner for two cost over three thousand dollars.

not exactly + adjective + contrasting evidence

Well, that is not exactly what happened. Let me tell you the full story.

not exactly + what-clause for factual correction

同義詞
  • far from

    stronger negation, less subtle ('far from ideal')

  • hardly

    similar but less polite ('hardly surprising')

文法句型

not exactly + adjective (often used ironically)

用法筆記

Distinguish from Sense 3: Sense 4 is a polite way of saying something IS wrong or untrue, while Sense 3 simply notes a minor difference. 'Not exactly cheap' (Sense 4) means 'it IS expensive,' whereas 'not exactly blue' (Sense 3) means 'close to blue but not quite.'

常見錯誤

❌ Using 'not exactly' sarcastically when the context is neutral — leads to confusion with Sense 5 (ironic opposite). Use this sense for polite correction only, not for sarcasm.

5. used ironically to indicate that the reality contradicts what someone previously

5.副詞B2
釋義

used ironically to indicate that the reality contradicts what someone previously stated or what one would normally expect

例句

A relaxing weekend in the countryside? That is exactly how I spent my time fixing the roof.

ironic use with 'exactly how' + contradictory detail

Samir sighed and said, "Great, exactly what I needed — another email from the boss at midnight."

exactly what I needed — ironic register marker

同義詞
  • just

    used similarly in ironic contexts ('just what I needed — more rain')

文法句型

exactly + what/how + clause (ironic)

exactly the opposite

用法筆記

This sense relies entirely on context and tone to signal irony. The words say 'this is exactly the case,' but the meaning is 'this is absolutely NOT the case.' Learners should be cautious — without clear contextual clues (e.g., a misfortunate event paired with 'exactly what I needed'), the irony may not be understood.

常見錯誤

❌ 'That restaurant was exactly what I needed' (without ironic context) — a non-native listener will think you genuinely liked it. Add an ironic clue: 'Another power cut — exactly what I needed.'