Cool MateExactly vs No more no less vs Precisely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
No more no less
Precisely
| Exactly | No more no less | Precisely | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ mɔː nəʊ lɛs//🇺🇸 //noʊ mɔr noʊ lɛs// | 🇬🇧 /["/prɪˈsaɪsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prɪˈsaɪsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | Exactly the amount mentioned, not more or less. | Exactly or very accurately. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | I need 10 apples, no more no less. | They look precisely the same to me. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | exactly right, exactly what, exactly the same, exactly how, know exactly | exactly as stated, the amount specified, not a penny more | precisely define, precisely state, precisely measured, precisely understand |
| Antonyms | approximately, roughly | - | imprecisely, approximately, vaguely |
| 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 'no more and less' instead of 'no more no less'., Confusing it with 'more or less', which indicates approximation. | Confused with 'precis' which means a summary., Using it in overly casual settings., Misplacing it in a sentence structure. |
| 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 to emphasize an exact figure or amount. Generally informal but accepted in various contexts. | Use in contexts where exactness is necessary. Avoid in casual conversations where approximate terms may suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs No more no less vs Precisely
What's the difference between Exactly, No more no less, and Precisely?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. No more no less: Exactly the amount mentioned, not more or less. Precisely: Exactly or very accurately.
Which is more common: Exactly, No more no less, and Precisely?
Exactly is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Exactly, No more no less, and Precisely?
Precisely is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Exactly: The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. No more no less: I need 10 apples, no more no less. Precisely: They look precisely the same to me.
Can I use Exactly, No more no less, and Precisely interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly, No more no less, and Precisely 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.