Cool MateNo more no less vs Precisely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No more no less
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Precisely
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Most common: Precisely
| No more no less | Precisely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ mɔː nəʊ lɛs//🇺🇸 //noʊ mɔr noʊ lɛs// | 🇬🇧 /["/prɪˈsaɪsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prɪˈsaɪsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Exactly the amount mentioned, not more or less. | Exactly or very accurately. |
| Example | I need 10 apples, no more no less. | They look precisely the same to me. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | exactly as stated, the amount specified, not a penny more | precisely define, precisely state, precisely measured, precisely understand |
| Antonyms | - | imprecisely, approximately, vaguely |
| Common mistakes | Using 'no more and less' instead of 'no more no less'., Confusing it with 'more or less', which indicates approximation. | Confused with 'precis' which means a summary., Using it in overly casual settings., Misplacing it in a sentence structure. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize an exact figure or amount. Generally informal but accepted in various contexts. | Use in contexts where exactness is necessary. Avoid in casual conversations where approximate terms may suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: No more no less vs Precisely
What's the difference between No more no less and Precisely?
No more no less: Exactly the amount mentioned, not more or less. Precisely: Exactly or very accurately.
Which is more common: No more no less and Precisely?
Precisely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No more no less: I need 10 apples, no more no less. Precisely: They look precisely the same to me.
Can I use No more no less and Precisely interchangeably?
Not always. No more no less and Precisely 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.