Cool MateExactly vs That's true
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
That's true
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Exactly
| Exactly | That's true | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts truː//🇺🇸 //ðæts tru// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | It is correct. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | She really loves painting, and that's true. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | exactly right, exactly what, exactly the same, exactly how, know exactly | that's true for, that's true about, that's true in |
| Antonyms | approximately, roughly | that's false, that's incorrect |
| 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 'that's truth' instead of 'that's true'., Confusing with 'that's truthfully'., Overusing in formal writing. |
| 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 agree with a statement. Avoid in overly formal contexts; prefer 'that is correct' instead. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs That's true
What's the difference between Exactly and That's true?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. That's true: It is correct.
Which is more common: Exactly and That's true?
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 true: She really loves painting, and that's true.
Can I use Exactly and That's true interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and That's true 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.