actually still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something remains true or unchanged despite expectations or assumptions. Example: "I thought he would have moved on by now, but he is actually still interested in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That Ilan was actually still alive.

The New Yorker

I actually still have this.

The New York Times

"I'm actually still living at the park".

The New York Times - Sports

They're actually still turning the corner, I hear.

Cornell University

Murray is actually still involved in this tournament.

Independent

Some pieces are actually still in the works.

The New York Times

That is because the oil and gas actually still exists.

The Economist

The electric chair is actually still used in Virginia.

The Washington Post

Do we actually still know what ITV is for?

The Guardian

In 1897, he was actually still a bachelor.

The Guardian

I had (actually still have) a condition called cholinergic urticaria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually still" to emphasize a surprising or unexpected continuation of a state or action. It is effective when correcting a misconception or highlighting an ongoing situation.

Common error

Avoid using "actually still" when the continuation is already implied or obvious. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually still" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the continuation of a state or action contrary to expectation. Ludwig examples show it modifying verbs and clauses, adding a layer of surprise or correction to the statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "actually still" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to emphasize the surprising continuation of a state or action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It functions to correct misconceptions, highlight ongoing situations, and add emphasis. "Actually still" appears most frequently in news and media sources, with less common usage in academia and encyclopedias. To avoid redundancy, it should be used judiciously, primarily when a continuation is unexpected. The analyzed data shows that understanding its function and purpose can help writers use it effectively in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in reality still

Replaces "actually" with "in reality", emphasizing the truth of the situation.

genuinely still

Substitutes "actually" with "genuinely", highlighting the authenticity of the continuing state.

truly still

Replaces "actually" with "truly", reinforcing the verity of the situation.

surprisingly still

Adds an element of surprise to the continuing state.

even now

Conveys the idea that something continues to be the case up to the present moment, often contrary to expectation.

as a matter of fact still

Emphasizes the truth of the situation as a factual matter.

in point of fact still

Similar to "as a matter of fact still", but more formal.

remains in effect

Focuses on the continuation of something's validity or operational status.

persists even now

Highlights the enduring nature of something despite potential challenges.

endures to this day

Emphasizes the length of time that something has continued.

FAQs

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

Use "actually still" to highlight that something is surprisingly or unexpectedly ongoing. For example, "Despite the rumors, the project is "actually still" in development".

What are some alternatives to "actually still"?

You can use alternatives like "in reality still", "genuinely still", or "surprisingly still" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "still actually" instead of "actually still"?

While "still actually" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""actually still"" is the more common and natural-sounding phrasing in most contexts. The subtle difference in emphasis might make one preferable over the other in certain situations.

What's the difference between "actually still" and "still"?

"Actually still" emphasizes a sense of surprise or correction, while "still" simply indicates continuation. For instance, "I "still" live here" just means I continue to live here, but "I "actually still" live here" implies there was a reason to think I might not.