actual

USAGE SUMMARY

"actual" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something as being real or factual. For example, "We studied the actual figures rather than estimates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to answer that.

The New York Times

Supposedly, or so I have heard, some expect my speech to pave the way for a fundamental reform of the European architecture, which will satisfy all kinds of alleged or actual British wishes.

The Guardian

The facts of the actual strike are jettisoned in favour of a ticking-clock climax whereby Scargill/Pacino must race to parliament on a motorbike and make a tear-jerking speech before the miners blow up Sellafield.

The Guardian - Film

"Just a few minutes before the actual ceremony was about to start we were told the media was being uninvited to go to that," Eremae said.

The Guardian

Whisky was first casked here in 2013 meaning that, due to the law that whisky must be aged for at least two years, Redlands is a distillery that has opened itself up to the public without offering any of the actual stuff it makes.

The Guardian - Travel

Clancy also said the secret service was currently making plans for a new fence to be built around the actual White House, but it would take a year and a half.

The Guardian

Despite the incessant honking all day, everyday here, by everyone on the road, typically this doesn't lead to scenes of actual road rage.

The Guardian

Give it up for a night and you'll find that you seek out actual company – whether it's joining a club, taking a class or just having friends over for dinner.

The Guardian

This week, he gets an actual Clarice Starling all of his own in the shape of work experience detective Nancy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For those who prefer actual songs, with melodies and lyrics, Leonard Cohen's Popular Problems comes out the same day, continuing one of the few great career renaissances to have been necessitated by being robbed blind by one's manager.

The Guardian

When the ads created by Sterling Cooper are for real products, they're often similar, but not identical to the actual commercials of the time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actual" to emphasize that something is factual and not merely potential or theoretical. For instance, "The actual cost was higher than the estimated cost."

Common error

Avoid using "actual" when you mean "current" or "present". "Actual" implies a contrast with something that was expected or potential, while "current" simply refers to the present time.

Linguistic Context

The word "actual" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to specify that something is real, factual, or existing in reality. Ludwig AI affirms this usage. Examples include "actual cost", "actual results", and "actual situation".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "actual" serves to highlight the reality and factuality of a noun, setting it apart from estimations or potential alternatives. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions primarily as an adjective and enjoys widespread use across diverse sources. While generally neutral in register, its presence is particularly notable in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to differentiate "actual" from "current" and to use it to emphasize the factual nature of something. Explore related alternatives like "real", "genuine", and "factual" to enhance the precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real

Emphasizes genuineness and authenticity.

genuine

Highlights authenticity and lack of pretense.

factual

Focuses on being based on or containing facts.

true

Indicates agreement with reality or a standard.

existing

Stresses presence in reality.

current

Indicates something happening or being used now.

veritable

Used to emphasize that something is real or genuine.

tangible

Focuses on being perceptible by touch.

concrete

Highlights being specific and not abstract.

literal

Stresses correspondence to the exact meaning of words.

FAQs

How is "actual" used in a sentence?

The word "actual" is used to describe something that exists in reality or fact. For example, "The "actual results" exceeded our expectations" or "What is the "actual cost" of the project?".

What can I say instead of "actual"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "real", "genuine", "factual", or "true".

What's the difference between "actual" and "real"?

"Actual" emphasizes the existence of something in fact, often in contrast to what was expected or potential. "Real" indicates authenticity and genuineness. While often interchangeable, "actual" stresses the factual aspect more directly than "real".

Is it correct to say "the actual truth"? What are better alternatives?

While "the actual truth" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound redundant since "truth" already implies factuality. Better alternatives might include "the "real truth"", "the "undeniable truth"", or simply "the truth".