but actually not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but actually not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a contrast or contradiction to a previous statement, often to clarify that something is not the case despite initial appearances. Example: "I thought the meeting was at 10 AM, but actually not; it was rescheduled for 2 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But, actually, not.

The New York Times

It's "expensive but actually not as much as I expected," she said.

The Guardian

Today's style is sort of pseudonaturalism, but actually not at all.

The New York Times

Boo, boring, if I wanted normal I'd go out to my own … Oh, but actually not so boring.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And that works well, because the new one is very much in the spirit of the original, but actually not quite as nice.

The Guardian

In contortion worthy of medieval Byzantium, Mr. Putin, having handed over power but actually not handed it over at all, may imminently be officially restored to it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

To require a cross-level principle to be regular, or a lineage-tissue mapping to satisfy IIA, means that for any fixed context, that is, any given set of actually considered fates, the ranking of tissue fates should be independent of the very existence of alternatives outside the context, that is, independent of whether potential-but-actually-not-considered fates exist.

BMC Systems Biology

But, well, actually, not exactly.

Huffington Post

This is referring to people who call themselves Christian but are actually not.

WikiHow

But it's actually not".

The New Yorker

But I'm actually not that sociable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the contrast is clear and that the "not" directly negates a specific part of the preceding statement. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "but actually not" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat informal or conversational, potentially detracting from the seriousness of the tone. Alternatives such as "however, this is not the case" or "in reality, this is not so" are more suitable for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but actually not" functions as a conjunction phrase used to introduce a negation or correction to a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability for indicating a contrast. It signals that what was previously implied or stated is, in fact, incorrect or does not hold true.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but actually not" is a conjunction phrase used to introduce a correction or unexpected twist to a preceding statement. Ludwig AI validates that is grammatically correct and usable, although is more appropriate for neutral register as in News & Media contexts. While it's generally acceptable, it may be less suitable for formal academic writing, where more sophisticated alternatives might be preferred. Remember to use it when you want to introduce a surprising contrast, ensuring the "not" directly negates the previous idea. Consider using alternatives such as "but in reality no" or "but that's not the case" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but in reality no

Replaces "actually" with "in reality" for a more emphatic tone.

but in fact no

Similar to "in reality", but with a slightly more factual tone.

but the truth is no

Highlights a contrast with an implied falsehood.

but that's not the case

Offers a more direct contradiction of a previous statement.

but the reality is different

Focuses on the difference between appearance and reality.

but that's simply not true

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the prior statement.

but it isn't really

Uses a more informal and conversational tone.

but it is far from that

Implies a significant deviation from the initial statement.

but it is not the situation

More formal phrasing, suitable for certain contexts.

but not quite so

Indicates a slight but important difference.

FAQs

How can I use "but actually not" in a sentence?

Use "but actually not" to introduce a surprising contrast or correction to a previous statement. For example: "I thought the meeting was at 10 AM, but actually not; it was rescheduled for 2 PM."

What phrases are similar to "but actually not"?

You can use alternatives like "but in reality no", "but that's not the case", or "but in fact no" depending on the context.

Is "but actually not" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "but actually not" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "however, this is not the case" or "in reality, this is not so".

What's the difference between "but actually not" and "but not really"?

"But actually not" implies a direct correction of a previous statement, whereas "but not really" suggests a weaker contradiction or a matter of degree. The choice depends on the strength of the contrast you want to convey.