5 exercises — practise the precision-hedging disjuncts "strictly/technically/loosely speaking".
0 / 17 completed
1 / 17
Which sentence correctly uses "strictly speaking" to flag that the following statement is only precisely true under a narrow definition?
"Strictly speaking, a fork isn't a new repository..." correctly uses the fixed adverb-plus-participle disjunct "strictly speaking". Option B wrongly uses a to-infinitive. Option C drops the "-ly" adverb ending. Option D scrambles the fixed word order.
2 / 17
Which sentence correctly uses "technically speaking" to concede a pedantic but accurate technical distinction?
"Technically speaking, null and undefined are different types in JavaScript..." is the standard fixed form. Option B drops the adverb ending. Option C wrongly uses a to-infinitive. Option D reverses the word order; while "speaking technically" is occasionally seen, the fixed disjunct tested here is "technically speaking".
3 / 17
Which sentence correctly uses "loosely speaking" to signal a simplified, approximate description?
"Loosely speaking, a hash map gives constant-time lookups..." is the correct fixed disjunct signaling an approximation. Option B drops the "-ly". Option C wrongly uses a to-infinitive. Option D wrongly inserts a dummy subject "it" before the disjunct.
4 / 17
Which sentence correctly places "strictly speaking" parenthetically in the middle of a sentence rather than at the start?
"The function is, strictly speaking, not pure, since it reads from a mutable module-level cache" correctly inserts the fixed disjunct between commas mid-sentence. Option B drops the adverb ending. Option C both reverses the phrase and duplicates "it". Option D mixes an infinitive marker into the fixed phrase.
5 / 17
Which sentence correctly distinguishes "strictly speaking" (precision disjunct) from a literal use of "speaking" as a present participle describing an action?
"Speaking at the conference, she explained the architecture; strictly speaking, though, the system is a modular monolith..." correctly uses a literal participle clause first, then the fixed precision disjunct "strictly speaking" second. Options B, C, and D corrupt one of the two participle forms.
6 / 17
Reviewer: "This commit needs more context. Could you elaborate on the changes you made to the user_authentication module?"
The reviewer is requesting more detail. 'Strictly speaking' implies a precise requirement for detail that isn't met. 'Loosely speaking' suggests an acceptable level of approximation, which isn't the case here. The message needs to be more specific.
7 / 17
Slack Message: "Just ran some tests and they passed! 🎉"
The Slack message is informal and celebratory. 'Technically speaking' correctly identifies the core meaning – a notification of successful testing. 'Strictly speaking' would imply formality, which isn't appropriate here. 'Loosely speaking' is too vague.
8 / 17
Reviewer: "This commit needs more context. Could you elaborate on the changes you made to the user_authentication module?"
The reviewer is requesting more detail. 'Strictly speaking' implies a precise requirement for detail that isn't met. 'Loosely speaking' suggests an acceptable level of approximation, which isn't the case here. The message needs to be more specific.
9 / 17
Slack Message: "Just ran some tests and they passed! 🎉"
The Slack message is informal and celebratory. 'Technically speaking' correctly identifies the core meaning – a notification of successful testing. 'Strictly speaking' would imply formality, which isn't appropriate here. 'Loosely speaking' is too vague.
10 / 17
Reviewer: "This commit needs more context. Could you elaborate on the changes you made to the user_authentication module?"
The reviewer is requesting more detail. 'Strictly speaking' implies a precise requirement for detail that isn't met. 'Loosely speaking' suggests an acceptable level of approximation, which isn't the case here. The message needs to be more specific.
11 / 17
Slack Message: "Just ran some tests and they passed! 🎉"
The Slack message is informal and celebratory. 'Technically speaking' correctly identifies the core meaning – a notification of successful testing. 'Strictly speaking' would imply formality, which isn't appropriate here. 'Loosely speaking' is too vague.
12 / 17
Reviewer: "This commit needs more context. Could you elaborate on the changes you made to the user_authentication module?"
The reviewer is requesting more detail. 'Strictly speaking' implies a precise requirement for detail that isn't met. 'Loosely speaking' suggests an acceptable level of approximation, which isn't the case here. The message needs to be more specific.
13 / 17
Slack Message: "Just ran some tests and they passed! 🎉"
The Slack message is informal and celebratory. 'Technically speaking' correctly identifies the core meaning – a notification of successful testing. 'Strictly speaking' would imply formality, which isn't appropriate here. 'Loosely speaking' is too vague.
14 / 17
Reviewer: "This commit needs more context. Could you elaborate on the changes you made to the user_authentication module?"
The reviewer is requesting more detail. 'Strictly speaking' implies a precise requirement for detail that isn't met. 'Loosely speaking' suggests an acceptable level of approximation, which isn't the case here. The message needs to be more specific.
15 / 17
Slack Message: "Just ran some tests and they passed! 🎉"
The Slack message is informal and celebratory. 'Technically speaking' correctly identifies the core meaning – a notification of successful testing. 'Strictly speaking' would imply formality, which isn't appropriate here. 'Loosely speaking' is too vague.
16 / 17
Reviewer: "This commit needs more context. Could you elaborate on the changes you made to the user_authentication module?"
The reviewer is requesting more detail. 'Strictly speaking' implies a precise requirement for detail that isn't met. 'Loosely speaking' suggests an acceptable level of approximation, which isn't the case here. The message needs to be more specific.
17 / 17
Slack Message: "Just ran some tests and they passed! 🎉"
The Slack message is informal and celebratory. 'Technically speaking' correctly identifies the core meaning – a notification of successful testing. 'Strictly speaking' would imply formality, which isn't appropriate here. 'Loosely speaking' is too vague.
What will I practise in ""Strictly/Technically/Loosely Speaking" Hedged Disjuncts — IT Grammar Exercise"?
Practise the fixed adverb-plus-participle disjuncts "strictly speaking", "technically speaking", and "loosely speaking" that comment on the precision of a
How many exercises are in this module?
This module has 17 multiple-choice exercises, each with instant feedback and a full explanation of the correct answer.
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What happens if I choose the wrong answer?
You'll immediately see which answer was correct, plus a full explanation covering the grammar rule and reasoning behind it — mistakes are where most of the learning happens.
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Where can I find more Grammar exercises?
Browse the full Grammar hub for related drills, or check the "Next up" link below to continue with a connected topic.
How is this different from reading an article on the same topic?
Articles explain grammar rules in prose; this exercise tests and reinforces those rules through active recall with immediate feedback — the two work best together.
Who writes these exercises?
Every exercise is written by the CoderSlingo team, drawing on real workplace English used in IT roles, then reviewed for accuracy and clarity.