Cool MateExactly vs Precisely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Precisely
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Most common: Exactly
| Exactly | Precisely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/prɪˈsaɪsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prɪˈsaɪsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | Exactly or very accurately. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | They look precisely the same to me. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very 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 | 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. | 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. | 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 Precisely
What's the difference between Exactly and Precisely?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. Precisely: Exactly or very accurately.
Which is more common: Exactly and Precisely?
Exactly is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Exactly and Precisely?
Precisely is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Exactly and Precisely the same CEFR level?
Exactly: A2, Precisely: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Exactly and Precisely?
Exactly: adverb, Precisely: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Exactly: The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. Precisely: They look precisely the same to me.
Can I use Exactly and Precisely interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly 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.