Actualy vs. Actually — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 26, 2024
"Actualy" is an incorrect spelling. "Actually" is the correct spelling, used to indicate a fact or reality.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Actualy or Actually
How to spell Actually?
Actualy
Incorrect Spelling
Actually
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
"Actual" is the base word; simply add "-ly" to get "actually."
Visualize the word split: "actual" + "ly."
Think of "act" at the beginning and remember to add "uall-y."
Remember the word contains two 'l's, just like "really."
Associate the word with the phrase "in actual fact."
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How Do You Spell Actually Correctly?
Incorrect: He can't come to the party because he's actualy sick.
Correct: He can't come to the party because he's actually sick.
Incorrect: They thought it was going to be easy, but it was actualy quite hard.
Correct: They thought it was going to be easy, but it was actually quite hard.
Incorrect: I can't believe he actualy said that.
Correct: I can't believe he actually said that.
Incorrect: Did she actualy finish the project on time?
Correct: Did she actually finish the project on time?
Incorrect: She actualy didn't go to the store yesterday.
Correct: She actually didn't go to the store yesterday.
Actually Definitions
Used when one is correcting oneself or changing an opinion.
I'll see you tomorrow. Actually, make it Friday.
Used to suggest that a situation is different from or opposite to what has been stated or believed.
It's not actually that difficult.
In fact, as opposed to what is said or imagined.
I thought he was Italian, but actually, he's Spanish.
Used to emphasize a statement or response.
Did you like the movie? Actually, I loved it!
In fact; in reality
That tree is actually a fir, not a pine.
Used to express wonder, surprise, or incredulity
I actually won the lottery!.
(modal) In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
His promises did not correspond with what he actually did.
(obsolete) Actively.
(obsolete) Currently; at the time.
Actively.
In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
In actual fact;
To be nominally but not actually independent
No one actually saw the shark
Large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt
Used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly;
You may actually be doing the right thing by walking out
She actually spoke Latin
They thought they made the rules but in reality they were only puppets
People who seem stand-offish are in reality often simply nervous
As a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis;
Actually, we all help clear up after a meal
Actually, I haven't seen the film
I'm not all that surprised actually
She hasn't proved to be too satisfactory, actually
At the present moment;
The transmission screen shows the picture that is actually on the air
Referring to what is true or real.
The story is actually based on real events.
Actually Meaning in a Sentence
She actually loves reading more than watching TV.
He was actually surprised by the gift we got him.
I'm actually not ready to leave yet.
My teacher actually knows my favorite author.
We need to leave now to get there on time, actually.
They said it would rain, but it's actually sunny.
She actually won the spelling bee last year.
Are you actually going to wear that to the party?
It was actually his idea to start a band.
It's actually not as far as it looks on the map.
I thought I would be late, but I arrived actually early.
I actually prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla.
I actually haven't seen that movie yet.
I can't believe it's actually snowing in April.
It's actually my brother's book, not mine.
It's actually colder today than it was yesterday.
We actually saw a shooting star last night.
She's actually the best player on the team.
I actually don't like going to the beach.
They were actually talking about that in class today.
The test was actually easier than I thought it would be.
They actually built the entire house themselves.
He actually decided to go back to school.
I actually used to live in New York when I was younger.
I actually think that's a great idea.
Actually Idioms & Phrases
Actually over the moon
To be extremely pleased or happy.
She was actually over the moon when she found out she got the job.
To actually spill the beans
To give away a secret or surprise.
He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
To actually pull someone's leg
To joke or tease someone.
I was just actually pulling your leg; I didn't really buy a car.
Actually on cloud nine
To be extremely happy or ecstatic.
I was actually on cloud nine when I heard the good news.
To actually hit the nail on the head
To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
He actually hit the nail on the head when he said the issue was a lack of communication.
To actually bite off more than one can chew
To take on a task that is too big.
He bit off more than he could chew by signing up for that many classes.
Actually jump on the bandwagon
To join others in doing something that has become fashionable or popular.
I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon and start watching that show just because everyone else is.
Actually in hot water
To be in a difficult situation or trouble.
After missing the deadline, he was actually in hot water with his boss.
To actually see eye to eye
To agree with someone.
We don't always see eye to eye, but on this issue, we actually do.
To actually cut corners
To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.
If you cut corners on this project, it will actually show in the final product.
Actually out of the blue
Something happening unexpectedly.
She actually called me out of the blue after years of not speaking.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called Actually?
"Actually" is derived from "actual," meaning existing in fact, emphasizing the truth or reality of a statement.
Which vowel is used before Actually?
"An" can precede "actually" when it's the beginning of a sentence or statement.
Which conjunction is used with Actually?
Any conjunction can be used, depending on the sentence structure and meaning.
What is the verb form of Actually?
"Actually" is an adverb and does not have a verb form.
What is the pronunciation of Actually?
"Actually" is pronounced as /ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/.
Which preposition is used with Actually?
No specific preposition is commonly paired with "actually." Its usage depends on context.
What is the root word of Actually?
The root word is "actual."
What is the plural form of Actually?
"Actually" does not have a plural form.
What is the singular form of Actually?
"Actually" is an adverb and does not have singular or plural forms.
Is Actually a noun or adjective?
"Actually" is neither; it is an adverb.
Is Actually an abstract noun?
No, "actually" is not an abstract noun.
Is Actually an adverb?
Yes, "actually" is an adverb.
Is Actually a vowel or consonant?
"Actually" is a word and contains both vowels and consonants.
Which article is used with Actually?
No specific article is commonly paired directly with "actually."
Is the Actually term a metaphor?
No, "actually" is not used as a metaphor.
What is the opposite of Actually?
There isn't a direct opposite, but "supposedly" or "theoretically" can be used in contrast in some contexts.
Which determiner is used with Actually?
"Actually" doesn't typically pair with a specific determiner as it's an adverb.
Is Actually a countable noun?
No, "actually" is not a noun, so it's not countable.
How do we divide Actually into syllables?
It can be divided as Ac-tu-al-ly.
What is another term for Actually?
Another term could be "in fact" or "truly."
What is the third form of Actually?
"Actually" doesn't have verb forms as it's an adverb.
Is the word Actually imperative?
No, "actually" is not imperative.
What is the first form of Actually?
"Actually" doesn't have verb forms as it's an adverb.
Is Actually a collective noun?
No, "actually" is not a collective noun.
How many syllables are in Actually?
"Actually" has four syllables.
What part of speech is Actually?
"Actually" is an adverb.
Is Actually a negative or positive word?
"Actually" is neutral; it doesn't inherently carry a positive or negative connotation.
What is a stressed syllable in Actually?
The first syllable "Ac" is stressed.
What is the second form of Actually?
"Actually" doesn't have verb forms as it's an adverb.
How is Actually used in a sentence?
"Actually, I think you might be right about that."
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.