What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
strict
Example
The teacher was very strict and did not allow any talking during the exam. [strict: adjective]
Example
The company has strict policies regarding punctuality and attendance. [strict: adjective]
exact
Example
The exact time of the meeting is 2:30 PM. [exact: adjective]
Example
The recipe requires exact measurements of each ingredient. [exact: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Exact is less common than strict in everyday language. Strict is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while exact is more specific and limited to scientific or mathematical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between strict and exact?
Both strict and exact can be used in formal or informal contexts, but exact is more likely to be used in formal or technical writing due to its association with scientific or mathematical precision.