Cool MateExactly vs You were right
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
You were right
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Exactly
| Exactly | You were right | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //juː wəː raɪt//🇺🇸 //ju wɚ raɪt// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | You are correct. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | You were right about the meeting time; I should have double-checked. |
| 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 | you were right about, you were right to say, you were right when, you were right all along, you were right to think |
| Antonyms | approximately, roughly | - |
| 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 'your right' instead of 'you were right'., Forgetting to use 'were' in past discussions., Confusing with 'you are right' which denotes present correctness. |
| 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. | Usually used in conversations to affirm someone's correctness. Can be formal or informal, but context matters. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs You were right
What's the difference between Exactly and You were right?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. You were right: You are correct.
Which is more common: Exactly and You were 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. You were right: You were right about the meeting time; I should have double-checked.
Can I use Exactly and You were right interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and You were 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.