Kilo Lingo

/ˈæktʃuəli/

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Coloured illustration of actually
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Translation

Used to say what is really true, often when it is not what people think.

Word origin

From actual plus the ending -ly. Actual comes from Latin actualis, meaning real or active.

Origin
Latin
Root
actualis
English cognates
act, action

Examples

, .

"Actually" marks the surprise: the truth is not what you expected.

, .

At the start of a sentence, "actually" softens a small correction.

?

Here "actually" asks whether it is really true.

Used in

Grammar articles

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This word is part of lesson 6.