Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Grammar/Actual-and-actually"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
'''Examples:''' | '''Examples:''' | ||
It’s over 100 kilos. Let me look. Yes, the actual weight is 108 kilos. | *It’s over 100 kilos. Let me look. Yes, the actual weight is 108 kilos. | ||
I've got a new job. Actually, they’ve made me sales manager. | *I've got a new job. Actually, they’ve made me sales manager. | ||
‘Did you enjoy your trip?’ ‘Very much, actually. | *‘Did you enjoy your trip?’ ‘Very much, actually.’ | ||
'''Actual and actually often introduce surprising or unexpected information.''' | '''Actual and actually often introduce surprising or unexpected information.''' | ||
| Line 23: | Line 25: | ||
'''Examples:''' | '''Examples:''' | ||
It takes me an hour to drive to work, although the actual distance is only 20 miles. | *It takes me an hour to drive to work, although the actual distance is only 20 miles. | ||
*She was so angry that she actually tore up the letter. | |||
*‘How did you get on with my car?’ ‘Well, actually, I ’m terribly sorry, I ’m afraid I had a crash. ’ | |||
*He’s twelve, but he actually still believes in Father Christmas. | |||
'''They can be used to correct mistakes or misunderstandings.''' | '''They can be used to correct mistakes or misunderstandings.''' | ||
| Line 36: | Line 40: | ||
'''Examples:''' | '''Examples:''' | ||
The book says she died aged 47, but her actual age was 43. | *The book says she died aged 47, but her actual age was 43. | ||
‘Hello, Jack. Nice to see you.’ ‘Actually, my name's Andy.’ | *‘Hello, Jack. Nice to see you.’ ‘Actually, my name's Andy.’ | ||
'''Actually is more common in British than American English.''' | *'''Actually is more common in British than American English.''' | ||
==2. 'false friends== | ==2. 'false friends== | ||
| Line 49: | Line 53: | ||
'''Examples:''' | '''Examples:''' | ||
What's our current financial position? (not our actual financial position?) | *What's our current financial position? (not our actual financial position?) | ||
In 1840 the population o f Ireland was higher than it is now. (not than it is actually.) | *In 1840 the population o f Ireland was higher than it is now. (not than it is actually.) | ||
Revision as of 09:03, 5 May 2020
Actual and actually
1. meaning and use
Actual means ‘real’; actually means 'really' or 'in fact'.
They are used to make things clearer, more precise or more definite.
Examples:
- It’s over 100 kilos. Let me look. Yes, the actual weight is 108 kilos.
- I've got a new job. Actually, they’ve made me sales manager.
- ‘Did you enjoy your trip?’ ‘Very much, actually.’
Actual and actually often introduce surprising or unexpected information.
Examples:
- It takes me an hour to drive to work, although the actual distance is only 20 miles.
- She was so angry that she actually tore up the letter.
- ‘How did you get on with my car?’ ‘Well, actually, I ’m terribly sorry, I ’m afraid I had a crash. ’
- He’s twelve, but he actually still believes in Father Christmas.
They can be used to correct mistakes or misunderstandings.
Examples:
- The book says she died aged 47, but her actual age was 43.
- ‘Hello, Jack. Nice to see you.’ ‘Actually, my name's Andy.’
- Actually is more common in British than American English.
2. 'false friends
Actual and actually are 'false friends’ for people who speak some languages. They do not mean the same as, for example, actuel(lement), aktuell, or attual(ment)e. We express these ideas with present, current, up to date; at this moment, now, at present.
Examples:
- What's our current financial position? (not our actual financial position?)
- In 1840 the population o f Ireland was higher than it is now. (not than it is actually.)