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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Placement of exactly

When someone asks 'what is this', is this response written correctly and where should the word 'exactly' go? Are all of them possible. Also, it the last part, 'what it is', correct?

I am not exactly sure what it is.
I am not sure exactly what it is.
I am not sure what it is exactly.
  

Top answer

Hello, All the three sentences are grammatically correct with identical meaning. The adverb "exactly" is describing the verb "sure" in your sentence. This structure is called embedded question with which many learners have trouble with, but you got it right.

— Hrsanei

  • Hello, All the three sentences are grammatically correct with identical meaning.
  • The adverb "exactly" is describing the verb "sure" in your sentence.
  • This structure is called embedded question with which many learners have trouble with, but you got it right.
  • Hamid
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5 Answers
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Hello,
All the three sentences are grammatically correct with identical meaning. The adverb "exactly" is describing the verb "sure" in your sentence.
Because you are not asking any questions, therefore, the phrase should read "what it is" than the question form of "what is it" .This structure is called embedded question with which many learners have trouble with, but you got it right.
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Thanks teacher. So there is no difference in the placement of exactly and all three sentences are correct. Right?
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Hi, let me correct myself first.
I meant the verb "be". "Sure" is an adjective.
Hamid
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Great.

So there is no difference in the placement of exactly and all three sentences are correct. Right?

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There is no difference, the grammatical point is that in the "exactly sure" exactly is referring to the adjective "sure" rather than the verb "be".
Adverbs can refer to adjectives and verbs.
Hamid
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