exact
exact — 形容詞
1. describes a measurement, amount, description, or copy that matches its real sour
精確的
完全正確且無遺漏的
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.
Lauren 量了窗戶的空間，並把精確的尺寸告訴了木匠。
collocation: exact dimensions
The museum displayed an exact replica of the ancient statue, including every crack.
博物館展示了一座與古雕像完全相同的複製品，連每一道裂痕都一模一樣。
collocation: exact replica
Zayd told the courier a rough area, not the exact street for the Kyoto bookshop.
Zayd 告訴快遞員大略的區域，但沒說出京都書店的確切街道。
An exact count of the migrating birds was taken by the research team each morning.
研究小組每天早上都會對遷徙的鳥類進行精確的數量統計。
These two paintings look the same, but they are not exact copies of each other.
這兩幅畫看起來很像，但它們並不是彼此的完全拷貝。
- 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
精密的
遵循固定規則且結果可重複驗證的
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.
物理學是一門嚴謹的科學，因為地心引力每次都以相同的速率作用。
collocation: exact science
The laboratory thermometer provided exact readings of the water temperature every minute.
實驗室的溫度計每分鐘都提供水溫的精確讀數。
Building a bridge requires exact calculations of weight, wind, and material strength.
建造橋梁需要對重量、風力與材料強度進行精密的計算。
History is not an exact science; human events, unlike chemical tests, cannot be re-run.
歷史並非一門嚴謹的科學；人類事件不像化學實驗，無法重複進行。
The team followed an exact procedure to test the new drug on the samples.
團隊遵循一套精密的流程，在樣本上測試新藥。
- 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
確切的
可有多種解讀而需確認的
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.
這首古詩的確切含義，學者們已經爭論了幾十年。
collocation: exact meaning
Linguists still disagree on the exact definition of the word 'consciousness'.
語言學家至今對「意識」一詞的精確定義仍有分歧。
collocation: exact definition
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown despite weeks of investigation.
儘管調查了數週，火災的確切原因仍然不明。
Ayana asked the lawyer to clarify the exact terms of the contract before signing.
Ayana 請律師在簽約前釐清合約的明確條款。
- 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 — 動詞
1. to demand payment, obedience, a promise, or revenge from someone and succeed in
強索；索取
以權力或威脅強行要求並獲得
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.
將軍要求他麾下的每一位士兵絕對忠誠。
pattern: exact + noun + from + person
The kidnappers exacted a two-million-dollar ransom for the safe return of the child.
綁匪為了安全歸還孩子，強索了兩百萬美元的贖金。
Jude swore he would exact revenge on the men who had betrayed his family.
Jude 發誓要對那些背叛他家人的男子進行報復。
Landlords in the crowded city exacted unfairly high rents from new immigrants.
這座擁擠城市的房東向新移民索取極高的租金。
Reema exacted a written promise from her cousin before lending him ten thousand dollars.
Reema 在借給表弟一萬美元之前，先要他簽下了書面承諾。
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
造成；導致
使人付出代價或承受苦難的結果
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.
多年來照顧生病的母親，讓 Talia 承受了沉重的精神負擔。
collocation: exact + toll
The drought exacted a terrible price from farming communities across the region.
乾旱讓該地區的農業社區付出了慘重的代價。
collocation: exact + price
Working two jobs exacted Hyun's energy, leaving him too tired even to cook.
同時做兩份工作耗盡了 Hyun 的精力，讓他累得連煮飯都沒辦法。
The long war exacted a high cost in both money and human lives.
長期的戰爭在金錢和人民生命兩個方面都造成了巨大的損失。
Iker's training schedule exacted strict discipline from him, forcing him to wake before dawn.
Iker 的訓練日程要求他嚴格自律，逼得他每天天沒亮就得起床。
- 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.