To be more precise
Academic discourse marker used to connect ideas
Use this phrase to bridge the gap between a general idea and a specific, accurate detail.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to clarify a general statement with specific details.
- Common in professional, academic, and technical English conversations.
- Signals that you are providing more accurate or refined information.
Bedeutung
Imagine you just said something a bit general. This phrase helps you zoom in and give the exact, specific detail to be more accurate.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Explaining where you live
I live near London; to be more precise, I'm in a small suburb called Ealing.
I live near London; to be more precise, I'm in a small suburb called Ealing.
Giving a time estimate for cooking
The cake needs about an hour; to be more precise, fifty-five minutes is perfect.
The cake needs about an hour; to be more precise, fifty-five minutes is perfect.
Reporting sales figures in a meeting
Our sales increased last month; to be more precise, we saw a 12% jump in revenue.
Our sales increased last month; to be more precise, we saw a 12% jump in revenue.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In many English-speaking professional environments, 'clarity' is a core value. This phrase became a staple of academic and legal discourse because it signals a commitment to truth and detail. It reflects a cultural preference for directness over vague or flowery language.
The Comma Rule
Always put a comma after `To be more precise` when you start a sentence with it. It gives the listener a tiny beat to prepare for the detail.
Don't Be a Robot
If you use this in every sentence, you'll sound like you're reading a manual. Save it for when the detail actually matters!
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to clarify a general statement with specific details.
- Common in professional, academic, and technical English conversations.
- Signals that you are providing more accurate or refined information.
What It Means
Think of it like a camera lens. You start with a wide shot and then focus. It shows you care about being accurate. You use it to narrow down a broad statement. It helps your listener understand exactly what you mean.
How To Use It
It usually sits at the start of a sentence. You can also drop it after a comma. It links your general idea to a specific fact. It acts as a bridge between a guess and a reality. Most people use it to clarify data or locations.
When To Use It
Use it when giving directions or explaining a plan. It is perfect for business presentations or academic essays. Use it when someone looks a bit confused by your first sentence. It is great for refining your feelings or opinions too.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid it if you are joking around with close friends. It can sound a bit stiff in a casual dive bar. Don't use it if you don't actually have more details. It makes you sound like a robot if used every minute.
Cultural Background
English speakers love getting down to brass tacks. Being precise saves time and prevents annoying follow-up questions. It is a hallmark of professional competence in Western work culture. Clarity is often seen as a sign of respect for others.
Common Variations
You might hear to be exact or more specifically. In casual talk, people often just say actually. Strictly speaking is a more rigid version of this phrase. Some people simply say to be precise without the word more.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a C1-level discourse marker. It is highly effective in professional and academic writing but should be used sparingly in very casual, slang-heavy environments.
The Comma Rule
Always put a comma after `To be more precise` when you start a sentence with it. It gives the listener a tiny beat to prepare for the detail.
Don't Be a Robot
If you use this in every sentence, you'll sound like you're reading a manual. Save it for when the detail actually matters!
The Power of 'Actually'
In very informal UK or US English, people often swap this phrase for `actually`. It's faster, but `to be more precise` makes you sound much more educated.
Beispiele
6I live near London; to be more precise, I'm in a small suburb called Ealing.
I live near London; to be more precise, I'm in a small suburb called Ealing.
This helps narrow down a very large area to a specific spot.
The cake needs about an hour; to be more precise, fifty-five minutes is perfect.
The cake needs about an hour; to be more precise, fifty-five minutes is perfect.
Refines a rough estimate into an exact instruction.
Our sales increased last month; to be more precise, we saw a 12% jump in revenue.
Our sales increased last month; to be more precise, we saw a 12% jump in revenue.
Adds professional weight by providing specific data.
I'll be there soon. To be more precise, my GPS says 4:15 PM.
I'll be there soon. To be more precise, my GPS says 4:15 PM.
Clarifies the vague word 'soon' with a digital estimate.
I'm not exactly a morning person; to be more precise, I'm a zombie until noon.
I'm not exactly a morning person; to be more precise, I'm a zombie until noon.
Uses the formal structure of the phrase for a humorous contrast.
I'm not just sad; to be more precise, I feel completely overwhelmed by the move.
I'm not just sad; to be more precise, I feel completely overwhelmed by the move.
Helps the speaker express a more nuanced internal state.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence for a professional report.
The project will take several weeks; ___, it will take exactly twenty-two days.
This phrase is used to move from a general timeframe ('several weeks') to an exact one ('twenty-two days').
Which phrase fits best in a conversation about directions?
Turn left at the park. ___, turn left at the north gate of the park.
The speaker is narrowing down the specific location within the park to turn.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Spectrum of Clarification
Used with close friends or family.
I mean...
Standard daily conversation.
Actually...
Professional or academic settings.
To be more precise...
Legal or scientific documents.
Specifically and strictly speaking...
When to Use 'To Be More Precise'
Business Meetings
Clarifying budget percentages.
Giving Directions
Specifying which street corner.
Scientific Writing
Defining exact measurements.
Correcting Yourself
Fixing a small mistake you just made.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt can be a bit stiff for a casual hang-out. Try using I mean or actually instead if you're just chatting about movies.
Yes, it is perfect for essays! It shows you are thinking critically and focusing on specific evidence.
It usually starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon. For example: The weather is cold; to be more precise, it is minus five degrees.
They are very similar, but to be more precise implies you are correcting or refining a previous statement for better accuracy.
Absolutely. Dropping the more is very common and means the exact same thing.
It usually sounds helpful rather than rude. It focuses on the facts rather than the person's mistake.
You could use to put it broadly or generally speaking if you want to move from a detail to a big picture.
It is used equally in both! It is a standard part of the English language worldwide.
It's very rare. You almost always want it at the beginning or in the middle to act as a bridge.
It works for both! You can say, I'm happy; to be more precise, I'm relieved the exam is over.
Verwandte Redewendungen
More specifically
To be exact
In fact
Strictly speaking
To put it another way
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