Cool MateExactly vs So are you
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
So are you
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Exactly
| Exactly | So are you | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //səʊ ɑː juː//🇺🇸 //soʊ ɑr ju// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | A way to agree with someone's statement or remind them of something. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | I think this movie is fantastic. |
| 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 | So are you excited, So are you going, So are you saying |
| 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 it without context, making it unclear., Forgetting to match the tone of the conversation., Assuming everyone will understand, even if they missed the previous context. |
| 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 'So are you' to show agreement in conversations. It's casual, so avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs So are you
What's the difference between Exactly and So are you?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. So are you: A way to agree with someone's statement or remind them of something.
Which is more common: Exactly and So are you?
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. So are you: I think this movie is fantastic.
Can I use Exactly and So are you interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and So are you 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.