actually meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify or emphasize the true significance or interpretation of something. Example: "When he said he was 'busy,' he was actually meaning that he didn't want to talk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Freedom of choice can end up actually meaning less choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a way of saying that we might be wrong, and actually meaning it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anything is possible, since the movie is more concerned with conjuring an aura of meaningfulness than with actually meaning anything.

The New York Times

This "grisly little crime movie" is "more concerned with conjuring an aura of meaningfulness than with actually meaning anything," Mr. Scott wrote in The Times in November.

The New York Times

Congrats to him for the gong, and to Dave for a marketing exercise that adds to the gaiety of the fringe, while actually meaning very little indeed.

The Guardian

That is a story now repeated weekly across the country, with the weasel words "predicted demand" actually meaning: central edict under intense pressure from the building lobby.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It still can't actually create meaning.

The Guardian - Tech

Those notices can arrive well before a building is actually sold, meaning the 90-day clock started much earlier.

The New York Times

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko suggested in testimony to Congress on March 16 that the pool was actually dry — meaning the overheating fuel rods were exposed to the air.

Yale University

"Thankfully, there's that 'religion stuff', which actually gives meaning to the season – and points us to the One who never fails".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is one of the companies that helped make a big technological leap from programs that take dictation to systems that actually extract meaning from words and respond to them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually meaning" to clarify a statement that might be misunderstood or misinterpreted. It helps to emphasize the intended or true meaning behind words or actions.

Common error

Avoid using "actually meaning" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your prose sound repetitive or condescending. Consider alternative phrasing, such as "in essence" or "essentially", to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually meaning" functions as a clarifier or intensifier, specifying the true or intended meaning behind a statement or action. Ludwig AI showcases examples where it is used to correct potential misunderstandings or emphasize a particular interpretation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actually meaning" is a versatile phrase used to clarify or emphasize the intended meaning behind a statement. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it functions as a clarifier and intensifier, ensuring that the audience understands the true message. While grammatically correct, overuse should be avoided. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. Ludwig's examples illustrate how "actually meaning" helps to remove ambiguity and provide a more precise understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in reality signifying

Emphasizes the true significance, replacing "actually" with "in reality".

essentially indicating

Focuses on the core indication or implication, using "essentially" as a substitute for "actually".

genuinely implying

Highlights the genuine nature of the implication, swapping "actually" with "genuinely".

truly denoting

Stresses the truth behind the denotation, replacing "actually" with "truly".

factually representing

Focuses on the factual representation, using "factually" instead of "actually".

in effect conveying

Highlights the effect of what's being conveyed, using "in effect" for "actually".

practically defining

Emphasizes the practical definition or implication, substituting "actually" with "practically".

virtually expressing

Focuses on the virtual expression or meaning, replacing "actually" with "virtually".

effectively translating to

Highlights the effective translation of meaning, changing "actually" to "effectively translating to".

in practice suggesting

Stresses the practical suggestion or implication, replacing "actually" with "in practice".

FAQs

How can I use "actually meaning" in a sentence?

Use "actually meaning" to clarify or emphasize the true or intended significance behind a statement. For example, "When he said he was 'busy,' he was "actually meaning" he didn't want to talk".

What's a formal alternative to "actually meaning"?

In formal contexts, you might consider using phrases such as "in reality signifying" or "essentially indicating" instead of "actually meaning". This elevates the tone and maintains clarity.

Is it redundant to say "actually meaning"?

While not strictly redundant, using "actually meaning" can sometimes be seen as repetitive depending on the context. Ensure that "actually" adds significant emphasis or clarification, or opt for a simpler phrase like "meaning" or "indicating".

How does "actually meaning" differ from "literally meaning"?

"Actually meaning" clarifies the intended significance, while "literally meaning" refers to the strict dictionary definition. Use "literally meaning" when discussing the precise definition and "actually meaning" when highlighting the implied or true sense.