Cool MateExactly vs That's correct vs That's what we do right
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
That's correct
That's what we do right
| Exactly | That's correct | That's what we do right | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts kəˈrɛkt//🇺🇸 //ðæts kəˈrɛkt// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts wɒt wi duː raɪt//🇺🇸 //ðæts wʌt wi du raɪt// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | You are right. | A phrase used to confirm a shared understanding or agreement about an action. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | Yes, that's correct; the meeting is at 3 PM. | When someone asked why we all helped each other out, I said, 'That's what we do right.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | ||
| Collocations | exactly right, exactly what, exactly the same, exactly how, know exactly | that's correct, use it, that's correct, agree, that's correct, confirm | confirm agreement, teamwork spirit, shared values, common practice, mutual understanding |
| Antonyms | approximately, roughly | That's incorrect, That's wrong, That's false, That's mistaken | - |
| 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. | Confused with 'that's right' – similar but less formal., Used inappropriately in serious contexts when more formal language is needed. | Confusing it with 'That's what we do.', Using it in overly formal contexts., Forgetting to use it in the right context of agreement. |
| 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 in conversations to confirm that someone else's statement is accurate. Avoid in very formal writing, where 'that is correct' might be better. | Used in casual conversations to affirm that the stated action is typical or expected behavior. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs That's correct vs That's what we do right
What's the difference between Exactly, That's correct, and That's what we do right?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. That's correct: You are right. That's what we do right: A phrase used to confirm a shared understanding or agreement about an action.
Can you show an example of each?
Exactly: The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. That's correct: Yes, that's correct; the meeting is at 3 PM. That's what we do right: When someone asked why we all helped each other out, I said, 'That's what we do right.'
Can I use Exactly, That's correct, and That's what we do right interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly, That's correct, and That's what we do 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.