actual case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actual case" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in order to refer to a definite situation or incident that has actually taken place, as opposed to a hypothetical or theoretical example. For example, "The lawyer presented an actual case study to demonstrate how the legal system works."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another actual case with two casings and two cement sheaths in a salt formation is given in Table 4.

Petroleum Science

Is it based on an actual case?

The New York Times - Magazine

(The play was inspired by an actual case).

The New York Times

'This was an actual case of mine and we settled for £5,000,' he said.

The Guardian - Money

Any constitutional doubts should be resolved in the context of an actual case, Justice Breyer said.

The New York Times

Is the actual case for privatization so weak that its advocates dare not tell the truth?

The New York Times

But it's never been used in relation to an actual case, as far as I know".

The Guardian

"I didn't blog about the actual case, just about the jury process.

The New York Times

As a medical student, I had read about pneumothorax, but I had never encountered an actual case.

The New Yorker

"Obviously this wasn't an actual case of voter fraud — O'Keefe and Project Veritas didn't want to break the law.

The New Yorker

This compelling novel about a serial killer who preys on lonely women is based on an actual case, from 1931.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting an "actual case", ensure you have reliable sources or evidence to support your claims.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions based on just one "actual case". While it provides a real-world example, it may not be representative of all situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actual case" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "actual" specifies that the noun "case" is not hypothetical or theoretical but is based on real-world events or situations. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actual case" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a real-world situation or event. According to Ludwig AI, it's particularly prevalent in scientific and news-related contexts. When using the phrase, be sure to distinguish it clearly from hypothetical scenarios. Alternatives like "real instance" or "concrete example" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Remember that while providing specificity, one should avoid overgeneralizing based on an "actual case".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real instance

Replaces "actual" with "real", emphasizing authenticity.

concrete example

Substitutes "case" with "example", suggesting a specific illustration.

genuine situation

Emphasizes the authenticity of the scenario with "genuine".

factual occurrence

Replaces both words, highlighting the truthfulness and event-like nature.

existing circumstance

Focuses on the present reality of the situation.

true incident

Highlights the verity and event-based nature of the case.

verifiable event

Emphasizes the ability to confirm the event's occurrence.

tangible situation

Highlights the fact that the situation is real and can be dealt with.

current reality

Shifts the focus to the present state of affairs, replacing 'case' with a broader term.

specific situation

Highlights the particularity of the situation using the word "specific".

FAQs

How can I use "actual case" in a sentence?

You can use "actual case" to refer to a real situation, for example: "This study is based on an "actual case" and uses real data."

What are some alternatives to "actual case"?

Alternatives include "real instance", "concrete example", or "genuine situation", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "actual case study"?

While "case study" often implies a real situation, using "actual case study" can emphasize that the study is based on a real, verifiable event rather than a theoretical scenario.

How does an "actual case" differ from a hypothetical one?

An "actual case" refers to a situation that has demonstrably occurred, while a hypothetical case is a scenario created for discussion, analysis, or training purposes.