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Meaning & use

in actuality

phrase·Advancedformal

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UK/ɪn ˌæktʃuˈæləti/
US/ɪn ˌæktʃuˈæləti/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phraseformal

    In reality, as opposed to what seems or is believed to be true.

    Grammar: Used as a sentence adverb, often at the beginning of a sentence or before the main verb; it does not take an object.

    Patterns

    • in actuality, ...
    • ... but in actuality ...

    The plan looked simple on paper, but in actuality it required months of careful work.

    People assume the town is quiet; in actuality, it has a busy nightlife.

    In actuality, very few of the applicants had the qualifications we needed.

  2. phrasefixed phraseformal

    Used to correct a wrong belief and state the true situation.

    Grammar: Often placed after a statement you are correcting, with a comma before it: 'It looks cheap, but in actuality it costs a fortune.'

    Patterns

    • but in actuality
    • although in actuality

    She seems unfriendly, but in actuality she is just shy.

    The report claimed the river was clean; in actuality, the water was unsafe for swimming.

Common combinations

but in actuality
The job sounds easy, but in actuality it takes real skill.
in actuality, the opposite is true
Many think prices are falling; in actuality, the opposite is true.
in actuality rather than in theory
We need to judge the policy in actuality rather than in theory.
appear one way but be different in actuality
The house appears modern but is quite old in actuality.

Synonyms and how they differ

in reality
Almost the same meaning and equally common; slightly less formal and used in everyday speech.
actually
Shorter and much more common, but it can also mean 'surprisingly' or soften a correction, so it is less precise than 'in actuality.'
in fact
Very close in meaning and more common; it can also add extra information, not only correct a belief.
really
Informal and simple; it stresses truth but does not carry the formal, contrastive tone of 'in actuality.'

Opposites

in theorysupposedly

Word family

actual adjective
Real or existing in fact, rather than imagined or guessed.
actuality noun
The state of being real or actual; real conditions.
actually adverb
In fact; also used to correct someone or express surprise.

Commonly confused: in actuality or actually? in actuality or in actual fact?

in actuality vs actually

'Actually' is an adverb and often means 'in fact' or 'surprisingly' in speech; 'in actuality' is a formal phrase that only contrasts reality with appearance or belief.

in actuality vs in actual fact

A very similar British-sounding phrase with the same meaning; 'in actuality' is shorter and a little more formal.

Practice

The brochure says the hotel is five minutes from the beach, but ___ it is a twenty-minute walk.

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