I actually actually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I actually actually" is not standard in written English, but it can be used informally for emphasis.
You can use it when you want to stress the truth or sincerity of a statement, often in casual conversation or writing. Example: "I actually actually thought you were joking when you said that."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, I actually (actually) enjoy exercising.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While claiming to offer better protection of privacy, it actually actually removes certain crimes from becoming known to public opinion and from being investigated by magistrates.

The Guardian - Opinion

For example, in response to a prompt asking her to remember what happened in Module 5, Eve responded, "okay, so for Module [5], this one I actually really enjoyed because we actually really tried to build our own model.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Presumably then police officers remain criminally liable if they say "Stop, or I'll shoot!," though not when they actually actually shoot.

Huffington Post

But actually – actually – those things are fine.

The Guardian

Actually, "actually" means nothing, and the adverb has actually begun to get on my nerves.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are a few more things to write home about in Love Actually, actually.

The Guardian

"Where does he actually, actually live?" At the north pole, and yes that is even further than London.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Human beings don't actually, actually come from massive lizards, do they?" said our five-year-old worriedly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

MR. ROMNEY: Let — well, actually — actually it's — it's — it's a lengthy description, but number one, pre-existing conditions are covered under my plan.

The New York Times

George Clooney's Good Night, and Good Luck is one of few movies to actually actually present that presumed 1950s "golden age" of TV news the other movies invoke.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I actually actually", consider whether the double emphasis is necessary or if a single "actually" or a stronger adverb like "really" or "truly" would suffice. Overuse can weaken your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I actually actually" in formal writing as it can be perceived as verbose. Opt for more concise phrasing to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I actually actually" functions as an emphatic assertion. The repetition of "actually" serves to underscore the speaker's sincerity or the truthfulness of their statement. Ludwig AI suggests that this usage is acceptable but potentially redundant.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "I actually actually" is not considered standard English, it functions as an emphatic assertion, often used in informal contexts to convey strong agreement or surprise. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is acceptable but may be redundant. For more formal settings, it's advisable to use more concise alternatives like "I really" or "I sincerely" to avoid sounding verbose. Redundancy aside, the phrase appears mainly in news and media sources. Be mindful of your audience and the context when deciding whether to use "I actually actually".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I really actually

Replaces the first "actually" with "really" for similar emphasis.

I sincerely actually

Substitutes "really" with "sincerely" to stress genuineness.

I truly actually

Uses "truly" for a stronger declaration of truthfulness.

I genuinely actually

Replaces "really" with "genuinely" to emphasize honesty.

I honestly actually

Emphasizes the honesty of the statement.

I definitely actually

Uses "definitely" for emphasis.

I seriously actually

Replaces "really" with "seriously" to convey the earnestness.

I do actually

Adds 'do' for emphasis, common in questions and negations.

I really do actually

Combines "really" and "do" for added emphasis.

I in fact actually

Uses "in fact" to confirm the truthfulness.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "I actually actually"?

While not standard, "I actually actually" can be used informally for emphasis. However, it's often considered redundant and may be better replaced with a single "actually" or a stronger adverb like "really" or "truly".

When is it appropriate to use "I actually actually"?

The phrase "I actually actually" is best suited for informal conversations where emphasis is desired. In formal writing, consider using more concise and professional alternatives like "genuinely" or "sincerely".

What are some alternatives to "I actually actually" that sound more professional?

For a more professional tone, replace "I actually actually" with phrases like "I truly", "I genuinely", or "I sincerely". These alternatives offer emphasis without sounding redundant.

How can I avoid redundancy when using adverbs like "actually"?

To avoid redundancy, carefully consider whether the adverb is necessary at all. Often, the sentence conveys the intended meaning without the adverb. If emphasis is needed, choose a single, strong adverb like "certainly" or "definitely".