Cool MateExactly vs That's what I was thinking
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exactly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
That's what I was thinking
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: ExactlyMost common: Exactly
| Exactly | That's what I was thinking | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæktli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts wɒt aɪ wəz ˈθɪŋkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ðæts wɑt aɪ wəz ˈθɪŋkɪŋ// |
| Meaning | In a precise or accurate manner. | This means you had the same idea as someone else. |
| Example | The instructions say to follow the recipe exactly for the best results. | When she suggested pizza for dinner, I said, 'That's what I was thinking.' |
| 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 what I thought, That's what we need, That's what I meant |
| 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 in overly formal situations., Confusing with similar phrases like 'I agree'. |
| 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 conversation to agree with someone's thought or opinion. Avoid in very formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Exactly vs That's what I was thinking
What's the difference between Exactly and That's what I was thinking?
Exactly: In a precise or accurate manner. That's what I was thinking: This means you had the same idea as someone else.
Which is more formal: Exactly and That's what I was thinking?
Exactly is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Exactly and That's what I was thinking?
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 was thinking: When she suggested pizza for dinner, I said, 'That's what I was thinking.'
Can I use Exactly and That's what I was thinking interchangeably?
Not always. Exactly and That's what I was thinking 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.