Learn the word 'Actually': Practical A2 Adverb for Everyday English Fluency

Word Info

Word: Actually

Level: A2

Pronunciation: 'ækʧuəli

Meaning: In fact or really

Video Script

Hello everyone, and welcome back to "Hello Word!", the podcast where we dive into the English language one word at a time. I'm Alex, your host, and today we’re exploring a very versatile word: actually. Actually is an A2-level adverb that means "in fact" or "really." It’s often used to clarify, correct, or emphasize something, so it's perfect for those moments when you want to add a bit more detail or correct a misunderstanding. Let’s get into some synonyms of actually to see how it works with similar words. We have really, truly, and indeed. For example, if someone says, “Did you really finish all that work?” you could answer, “Yes, I actually did.” Or let’s say a friend tells you it’s hard to learn to cook. You might say, “Cooking is actually pretty fun once you get into it.” Here, actually adds a sense of emphasis, showing that it might be different from what the other person expects. Now, let’s look at some antonyms that show the opposite of actually. Words like seemingly, apparently, and supposedly can help describe something that only appears to be true but isn’t necessarily a fact. For example, if you tell someone, “She’s actually very friendly", you’re clarifying that, even though she might seem unfriendly at first, in reality, she’s not. In everyday life, actually is a very useful word. You might use it to explain or emphasize things all the time. Imagine someone assumes you’re busy because you usually are, but today’s different, so you say, “I’m actually free today!” Or maybe you want to correct a minor mistake someone made about you, so you say, “I’m actually from New York, not Boston.” It’s polite, clear, and a great way to gently correct or emphasize a fact. Here are a few sentences to see actually in action: “Are you actually going to run the whole marathon?” “I actually prefer tea over coffee, though I drink both.” “He actually finished the project two days early.” Each of these examples shows how actually can make your point just a bit stronger or clearer. So to wrap up, we covered the word actually and saw how it means "in fact" or "really." We also explored synonyms like really, truly, and indeed, as well as antonyms such as seemingly, apparently, and supposedly. Thanks for tuning in today! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review it really helps others find the show. And hey, why not try making your own sentence using actually? Share it in the comments; I'd love to see what you come up with. Until next time, keep those words rolling!

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