but actually in a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but actually in a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or clarification about a situation or concept that may not be immediately obvious. Example: "She seems very confident, but actually in a stressful situation, she struggles to maintain her composure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I still wash my hands far too much, I still dance in and out of rooms, I still drive my wife and children mad on occasions, but actually, in a sense, I've got the upper hand now in the struggle".

The Guardian

"You couldn't in the middle of a stage production of, let's say, Wolf Hall, have a woman coming on playing Henry VIII and people not comment on it, but actually in a stage production you could probably have a black actor coming on playing him.

Independent

But actually in a number of specific markets there are taxi apps that are holding their own against the multi billion dollar-valued Silicon Valley juggernaut.

TechCrunch

I realized I was not on a battlefield but actually in a red leather chair staring at the stage with my dad next to me as usual.

Huffington Post

The Victoria Embankment building, a grand building said to be in the Italian Renaissance style but actually in a high Victorian style with a steep pitched roof resembling that of a French chateau, was designed by Davis and Emanuel and constructed by John Mowlem & Co at a cost exceeding £100,000 (about £7,570,000 in 2008 ).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In September 1861, Edward was sent to Germany, supposedly to watch military manoeuvres, but actually in order to engineer a meeting between him and Princess Alexandra of Denmark, the eldest daughter of Prince Christian of Denmark and his wife Louise.

Wikipedia

Sure your high school language abilities can come in handy on holiday, but actually living in a country that speaks a different language forces you to really commit to learning a new tongue.

Huffington Post

Vinci itself is based on Vernon, a real city with a real corrupt past that involved a mayor who claimed to live in Vernon but actually lived in a fancy LA neighborhood.

Vice

Her flip-flopping over the calls for a Scottish referendum on independence showed her to be not just out of step with big Gordy in London, but actually walking in a different direction.

The Guardian - Opinion

This split in imagining something far away and having a visceral response but actually being in a different present moment is somehow confusing.

Huffington Post

Definition: a game in which the player is presented with the illusion of choice but is actually in a situation that guides them to the desired outcome of the operator.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but actually in a", ensure that the contrast you are drawing is clear and adds meaningful clarification to the statement. It's most effective when correcting a misconception or adding a surprising element.

Common error

Avoid using "but actually in a" in sentences where the contrast is already obvious. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound redundant and less impactful. Choose simpler conjunctions when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but actually in a" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas while emphasizing a clarification or surprising element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to introduce a nuanced perspective, modifying the initial statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but actually in a" is a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting or clarifying element. As Ludwig AI underlines, it serves to provide a nuanced perspective. While grammatically correct and usable, it's best employed when a clear contrast or surprising element needs emphasis. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, predominantly appearing in news, wiki, and scientific sources. Remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet factually within

Highlights the factual nature of the statement.

though genuinely within

Adds a sense of authenticity and sincerity.

instead genuinely inside

Replaces "actually" with genuinely

but realistically within

Switches to a more pragmatic tone, focusing on realism.

while truthfully within

Stresses honesty and accuracy.

on the contrary inside

Contrasts the second idea with the first

however truly inside

Emphasizes truth and interiority, adding a layer of introspection.

conversely genuinely in

Highlights an opposition to the idea that was initially exposed

nevertheless honestly inside

Conveys a sense of honesty or straightforwardness

nonetheless sincerely inside

Adds emphasis to the sentence's real intention

FAQs

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

Use "but actually in a" to introduce a surprising or clarifying element that contrasts with a previous statement. For example, "The room looked small, but actually in a way, it was quite spacious."

What phrases are similar to "but actually in a"?

Alternatives include "however in reality", "but in fact", or "but in truth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "but actually in a" when expressing a contrast?

No, simpler conjunctions like "but", "however", or "yet" can often suffice. Use "but actually in a" when you want to emphasize a surprising or unexpected contrast.

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

"But actually in a" often introduces a specific detail or aspect that clarifies a situation, while "but in reality" tends to present a broader, more general truth.