Cool MateExactly vs You can say that again
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
You can say that again
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: ExactlyMost common: Exactly
| Exactly | You can say that again | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ kæn seɪ ðæt əˈɡeɪn//🇺🇸 //ju kæn seɪ ðæt əˈɡeɪn// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | I agree with what you said. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | It's a beautiful day, isn't it? |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| 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 | say that again, you can say that, say it again |
| Antonyms | approximately, roughly | I disagree, Not at all, Absolutely not |
| 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. | Used in formal conversations., Confused with 'You said it!' or 'Absolutely!', Thinking it's a literal request to repeat something. |
| 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 informally to express strong agreement with someone's statement. It's not suitable for formal contexts like business meetings or academic writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs You can say that again
What's the difference between Exactly and You can say that again?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. You can say that again: I agree with what you said.
Which is more formal: Exactly and You can say that again?
Exactly is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Exactly and You can say that again?
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. You can say that again: It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
Can I use Exactly and You can say that again interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and You can say that again 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.