The phrase "actually a contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify or emphasize that something is indeed a competition or contest, often in a context where there may be confusion or doubt.
Example: "I thought it was just a game, but it turns out it's actually a contest with prizes."
Alternatives: "truly a competition" or "genuinely a contest".
Kenny Kramer claimed that there actually was a "Contest" in which David and some friends of his took part, although he did not initially want to take part because he thought he could not win it.
"And that's kind of sad because it's supposed to be a dance competition, but it's actually a popularity contest, which makes me kind of sad.
"It's not actually a fair contest," Schiller said.
Glynnis (9 09 36 PM): Well, according to McCain this isn't actually a beauty contest.
Through Grant I discovered that although Mr Universe was probably the most famous title in bodybuilding and the only one that people outside of the sport could name, it was actually an amateur contest.
We actually just had a contest on Facebook for everyone to upload their most busted-up-looking drug kicked-up card.
"It's now a contest actually between the senior investigators and the cohort to see who will survive longer".
One ad, which appeared last week, uses models who initially seem to be Olympic athletes, but who actually represent winners of a contest McDonald's conducted this past year for its 1.3 million employees worldwide; winners will go to the Salt Lake City games.
So it decided to hold a "beta launch" that is actually a series of contests to be held in cities across the US, in which local startups and small businesses will compete for funding from judging panels of high-profile accredited investors.
"If you want the game to thrive, you have to give people a contest that actually means something — and, for preference, at a time of year when furry animals have finally come out of hibernation".
