Cool MateExactly vs That's what i'm saying
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
That's what i'm saying
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: ExactlyMost common: Exactly
| Exactly | That's what i'm saying | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts wɒt aɪm ˈseɪɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ðæts wɑt aɪm ˈseɪɪŋ// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | Agreeing with what someone said or emphasizing a point. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | I think we should leave early. That's what I'm saying. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| 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 exactly what I'm saying, you know that's what I'm saying, so that's what I'm 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. | Used in formal contexts, which can seem unprofessional., Misused with a question, confusing the message., Spelling it incorrectly, e.g., 'That’s what I'm saying.' |
| 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 in casual conversations to express agreement or to stress a point previously made. It is not suitable for formal writing or speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs That's what i'm saying
What's the difference between Exactly and That's what i'm saying?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. That's what i'm saying: Agreeing with what someone said or emphasizing a point.
Which is more formal: Exactly and That's what i'm saying?
Exactly is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Exactly and That's what i'm saying?
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 what i'm saying: I think we should leave early. That's what I'm saying.
Can I use Exactly and That's what i'm saying interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and That's what i'm saying 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.