approximately vs exactly
Definitions
adverb
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
Examples
The former seems more likely in that the emergence of bichrome pottery is dated to approximately 1550 B.C., or roughtly four centuries prior to the documented arrival of the Peleset ( "Sea-people").
The formation of coral terraces is interpreted as the product of approximately uniform long-term uplift superimposed on eustatic changes in sea level.
According to the EPA, fish at the top of the aquatic food chain bioaccumulate methylmercury to a level approximately 1 million to 10 million times greater than dissolved concentrations found in surrounding waters.
Definitions
adverb
- indicating exactness or preciseness
- in a precise manner
- just as it should be
Examples
Who is willing to believe that Alexandria is exactly 5000 stadia from Syene, whatever the value of the stadium?
If there was any hope of holding on to even a shred of her dwindling self-respect, she should do exactly what she knew Margo would do—close the laptop, take her de-scrunchied, perfumed, and nearly thonged self down to the nearest club, pick up the first passably good-looking stranger who asked her to dance, and bring him back to the apartment for some safe but anonymous sex.
A lot of us are curious to know exactly what the navy has been told to do.
