exact same

[herbivorie]

Dictionaries don’t list “exact” as an adverb, but I often hear native speakers say “exact same”, like "your *** is the exact same as mine.”
Is this usage formally acceptable, or should I use “exactly” instead of “exact” in a formal situation?

 

[MikeNewYork]

In your example it should be "your *** is exactly the same as mine."

 

[herbivorie]

Yes, but native speakers (at least my friends) use "exact same".

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes, you will hear something like that, but not usually "your *** is the exact same as mine." You will hear "that is the exact same dress/watch/bag as mine." That construction uses "exact" as if it were an adverb.

 

[herbivorie]

Yes, you will hear something like that, but not usually "your *** is the exact same as mine." You will hear "that is the exact same dress/watch/bag as mine." That construction uses "exact" as if it were an adverb.

OK, my example was not appropriate.
How about "That is the exact same dress/watch/bag as mine" you wrote? Do you think it's correct/acceptable to use "exact" as if it were an adverb even in a formal situation?

 

[MikeNewYork]

At least in AmE, I don't think anyone would object, but technically, "the exact" is not needed in that sentence.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Exact same" is tautologous even though you will hear it a lot. Something is either the same or it's not. If it's not the same, it might be "similar to" or "almost the same as" something else.