actually

actually — adverb

1. used to stress that what you are saying is the truth, especially when giving rea

1.副詞A2
釋義

used to stress that what you are saying is the truth, especially when giving real information about a situation.

例句

Vesna looks young, but she is actually thirty-five years old.

actually + adjective phrase to assert the real fact

The recipe sounds difficult, but it is actually quite simple to follow.

actually + adverb phrase to correct an impression

同義詞
  • really

    very close in meaning; slightly more emphatic in spoken English

  • in fact

    more formal; often starts a sentence

  • truly

    stronger, more emotional emphasis on truth

反義詞

文法句型

actually + verb phrase

subject + actually + verb

用法筆記

Often pairs with adjectives (true, simple, easy, hard) and verbs of speech or knowledge (know, mean, say). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense simply asserts truth, while sense 2 signals the truth is unexpected.

常見錯誤

❌I actually live in Taipei now.' (when meaning currently).
✅I currently live in Taipei now.
💡English 'actually' does not mean 'at this moment'; use 'currently' or 'now' for present time.
❌Tell me the actually price.
✅Tell me the actual price.
💡'actually' is the adverb; the adjective form is 'actual'.

2. used when adding a fact that goes against what the listener probably thinks, to

2.副詞B1
釋義

used when adding a fact that goes against what the listener probably thinks, to mark it as unexpected.

例句

I thought the test would be hard, but I actually finished it in twenty minutes.

contrastive: expectation clause + but + actually + outcome

The new café looks tiny, but it actually seats forty people inside.

marks an unexpected positive fact

同義詞
  • surprisingly

    more direct; openly labels the fact as a surprise

  • in reality

    formal; stresses contrast with appearance

  • as it happens

    informal spoken phrase with similar contrast meaning

反義詞

文法句型

actually + clause

clause + , actually

用法筆記

Subject of the surprise is often a person whose reaction or behaviour breaks the expected pattern. Frequently follows the connector 'but' or 'though'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the speaker signals contrast with the listener's belief, not just truth.

常見錯誤

❌The shop is closed, actually it opens at ten.
✅The shop is closed now; actually, it opens at ten.
💡use a comma after 'actually' when it begins a clause for the surprise reading.

3. used at the start or end of a sentence to soften a disagreement, a correction, o

3.副詞B2
釋義

used at the start or end of a sentence to soften a disagreement, a correction, or a refusal so that it sounds friendlier.

例句

Actually, I would rather stay home tonight, if you don't mind.

sentence-initial 'Actually,' softening a refusal

My name is Daniel, actually, not David — please call me Daniel.

tag position: clause + , actually for gentle correction

同義詞
  • in fact

    slightly more formal; less of a softener

  • to be honest

    informal; signals a personal, frank opinion

  • well

    very informal opener; weaker correction

文法句型

Actually, + clause

clause + , actually

用法筆記

Common in informal speech and emails to take the edge off a contradiction. Often appears with hedging language ('I think', 'I'd rather', 'sorry'). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense softens what the speaker is about to say, while sense 2 flags the listener's belief as wrong.

常見錯誤

❌You are wrong. The capital is Canberra.' (blunt).
✅Actually, the capital is Canberra.
💡using 'Actually,' makes the correction feel less aggressive in conversation.
❌Actually I disagree' (no comma).
✅Actually, I disagree.
💡the softening use almost always takes a comma in writing.