Cool MateExactly vs That's correct
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
That's correct
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Exactly | That's correct | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts kəˈrɛkt//🇺🇸 //ðæts kəˈrɛkt// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | You are right. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | Yes, that's correct; the meeting is at 3 PM. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | exactly right, exactly what, exactly the same, exactly how, know exactly | that's correct, use it, that's correct, agree, that's correct, confirm |
| Antonyms | approximately, roughly | That's incorrect, That's wrong, That's false, That's mistaken |
| 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 'that's right' – similar but less formal., Used inappropriately in serious contexts when more formal language is needed. |
| 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 conversations to confirm that someone else's statement is accurate. Avoid in very formal writing, where 'that is correct' might be better. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs That's correct
What's the difference between Exactly and That's correct?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. That's correct: You are right.
Can you show an example of each?
Exactly: The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. That's correct: Yes, that's correct; the meeting is at 3 PM.
Can I use Exactly and That's correct interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and That's correct 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.