Cool MateApproximately vs Not exactly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Approximately
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Not exactly
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Approximately
| Approximately | Not exactly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈprɒksɪmətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈprɑːksɪmətli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ɪɡˈzæktli//🇺🇸 //nɑt ɪɡˈzæktli// |
| Meaning | About or close to a certain amount. | Not completely true or accurate. |
| Example | The journey took approximately seven hours. | The answer was not exactly what I expected. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | approximately equal to, approximately 50%, approximately three hours | not exactly correct, not exactly clear, not exactly true, not exactly what I mean, not exactly a solution |
| Antonyms | exactly, precisely | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'approximately' with a precise number (e.g., saying 'approximately 2000' instead of 'about 2000')., Confusing 'approximately' with 'exactly'., Omitting 'approximately' when it’s needed for clarity in estimates. | Confusing with 'not really', which is more casual., 'Not exactly' is sometimes overused in explanations., Learners may use it in formal contexts where a more definitive phrase is needed. |
| Usage notes | Use 'approximately' when giving an estimate. It's appropriate in academic and professional contexts, but may sound overly formal in casual conversations. | Used to express disagreement or to soften criticism. It is more polite than saying 'wrong'. Avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Approximately vs Not exactly
What's the difference between Approximately and Not exactly?
Approximately: About or close to a certain amount. Not exactly: Not completely true or accurate.
Which is more common: Approximately and Not exactly?
Approximately is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Approximately: The journey took approximately seven hours. Not exactly: The answer was not exactly what I expected.
Can I use Approximately and Not exactly interchangeably?
Not always. Approximately and Not exactly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.