but actually

USAGE SUMMARY

"but actually" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it to emphasize a surprise or to contradict expectations. For example: "I thought we were going to have pizza for dinner tonight, but actually my mom cooked sushi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No but, actually.

The Guardian - Opinion

But actually it's harder.

The New York Times - Magazine

Anything but, actually.

The New York Times - Arts

But, actually, not.

The New York Times

But actually doing medicine?

Stanford University

Not resigned but actually excited.

The New Yorker

"But, actually, nobody bought it.

The New Yorker

But, actually, it's highly codified.

The New Yorker

"But actually I love this.

The New Yorker

But actually, they're lies.

Harvard Business Review

But actually, it is.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but actually" to introduce a surprising or unexpected fact that contradicts a previous statement or assumption. It adds emphasis to the contrast.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "but actually", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "however", "yet", or "in fact" to introduce contrasts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but actually" functions as a discourse marker. It's used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or corrects a previous statement or expectation. As demonstrated in Ludwig, this usage allows writers to signal a shift in perspective or provide surprising information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but actually" serves as a versatile discourse marker used to introduce a contrast or correction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used. While very common in news and media, and acceptable in academic writing, remember that overuse can lead to repetitiveness. Consider swapping it out with alternatives such as "however", "in fact", or "on the contrary" to enhance the flow and sophistication of your writing. The phrase is generally considered neutral in register, but a more formal tone may be required depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however in reality

Replaces "but" with "however" and "actually" with "in reality" to emphasize the true state of affairs.

yet in fact

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and "actually" with "in fact" for a slightly more formal tone.

though in truth

Replaces "but" with "though" and "actually" with "in truth" emphasizing honesty.

contrary to expectations

This phrase is more formal and explicitly points out the contrast with what was expected.

in opposition to that

This alternative is more direct in stating the contrasting information.

on the contrary

Replaces "but actually" with a more emphatic contradiction.

the truth is

Focuses more on revealing the factual information, downplaying the contrast.

in reality

Shortens the phrase to focus solely on presenting the real situation.

as a matter of fact

Emphasizes the factual basis of the contrasting statement.

to be honest

Replaces "but actually" with a phrase that emphasizes sincerity and directness.

FAQs

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

You can use "but actually" to introduce a contrasting or surprising piece of information. For example, "I thought I would hate the movie, but actually, I loved it."

What are some alternatives to "but actually"?

Some alternatives to "but actually" include "however", "in fact", "yet", or "on the contrary". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but actually"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but actually", although some style guides might advise against it for formal writing. It's generally acceptable in informal and conversational contexts.

What's the difference between "but actually" and "but in reality"?

"But actually" is a more general phrase for introducing a contrast, while "but in reality" /s/in+reality emphasizes that the contrasting information is the true or factual state of affairs.