Cool MateExactly vs It sure as hell was
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
It sure as hell was
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: ExactlyMost common: Exactly
| Exactly | It sure as hell was | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪt ʃʊə əz hɛl wəz//🇺🇸 //ɪt ʃʊr æz hɛl wəz// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | A strong way to agree with something. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | It sure as hell was a great game! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | exactly right, exactly what, exactly the same, exactly how, know exactly | it sure as hell, was amazing, was worth it, was fun, was a great idea |
| Antonyms | approximately, roughly | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Exactly' is often confused with 'correctly' — they have different nuances., Learners sometimes use 'exact' instead of 'exactly' in adverbial contexts., Misplaced in sentences, such as using it at the beginning instead of near the verb. | Using in very formal contexts., Misplacing the phrase within a sentence., Overusing for every agreement. |
| Usage notes | Use 'exactly' to emphasize precision or correctness. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in overly casual conversations where a simpler term may suffice. | Used for emphasis when agreeing emphatically. Avoid in formal writing; best for conversations or texts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs It sure as hell was
What's the difference between Exactly and It sure as hell was?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. It sure as hell was: A strong way to agree with something.
Which is more formal: Exactly and It sure as hell was?
Exactly is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Exactly and It sure as hell was?
Exactly is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Exactly: The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. It sure as hell was: It sure as hell was a great game!
Can I use Exactly and It sure as hell was interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and It sure as hell was 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.