Cool MateExactly vs That's absolutely right
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
That's absolutely right
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Exactly
| Exactly | That's absolutely right | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˈæbsəluːtli raɪt//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˈæbsəluːtli raɪt// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | You're completely correct. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | If you think the sky is blue, then that's absolutely right. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| 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 | that's absolutely true, that's absolutely correct, that's absolutely clear |
| Antonyms | approximately, roughly | That's completely wrong, That's absolutely incorrect, That's totally false |
| 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 it when you only partially agree., Confusing with 'that's not right' which indicates disagreement., Misplacing emphasis leading to unclear 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. | Use this phrase to agree strongly with someone. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs That's absolutely right
What's the difference between Exactly and That's absolutely right?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. That's absolutely right: You're completely correct.
Which is more common: Exactly and That's absolutely right?
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. That's absolutely right: If you think the sky is blue, then that's absolutely right.
Can I use Exactly and That's absolutely right interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and That's absolutely right 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.