What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
exactly
Example
The package weighed exactly 2 pounds. [exactly: adverb]
Example
I told you to be here at 5:00 pm exactly. [exactly: adverb]
Example
Exactly! That's what I was thinking too. [exactly: interjection]
literally
Example
I literally ran out of the house when I saw the spider. [literally: adverb]
Example
He literally broke the record with his performance. [literally: adverb]
Example
Did she literally just say that? [literally: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Exactly is more commonly used than literally in everyday language. Exactly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while literally is more specific and often used to clarify a statement or emphasize its truthfulness.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between exactly and literally?
Both exactly and literally are neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
