Cool MateExactly vs To the minute
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
To the minute
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Exactly
| Exactly | To the minute | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tə ðə ˈmɪnɪt//🇺🇸 //tə ðə ˈmɪnɪt// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | exactly on time |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | She arrived at the meeting to the minute. |
| 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 | arrive to the minute, depart to the minute, schedule to the minute |
| 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. | Confusing it with 'to the second', which implies more precision., Using it in contexts where approximate time is acceptable. |
| 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 formal and informal contexts to indicate precision in time. Avoid when talking about vague estimates. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs To the minute
What's the difference between Exactly and To the minute?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. To the minute: exactly on time
Which is more common: Exactly and To the minute?
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. To the minute: She arrived at the meeting to the minute.
Can I use Exactly and To the minute interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and To the minute 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.