had actually submitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had actually submitted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action of submission occurred in the past, often in a context where there is some doubt or emphasis on the fact that it was done. Example: "After reviewing the records, it was confirmed that she had actually submitted her application before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mrs. Ip and Mr. Tung said in separate statements this evening that she had actually submitted her resignation on June 25, and that Mr. Tung had tried to talk her out of it before finally accepting it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The co-op is the only one that has actually submitted customers' names to the department to make the switch.

The New York Times

So far, more than 5,000 people have registered for the fund, but fewer than 400 of them have actually submitted claims, according to Ms. Birnbaum, the special master.

The New York Times

An even smaller number have actually submitted responses.

Duke University

Since then, the company has been quietly running in private beta with some 3,000 customers, and over 200 designers who have actually submitted content to the site.

TechCrunch

It's not clear from your question whether a) you have actually submitted proposals that have since been returned to you with reviewer's comments or b) you are in the throes of deciding if your proposal meets the specifications of an agency's request for applications.

Science Magazine

Later, it turned out that the binders in question had actually been submitted to Romney by a Massachusetts group that had been formed to push for more women in important state government posts.

The New York Times

Although the film was promoted as an X-rated animated film, New World Pictures had not actually submitted it to the Motion Picture Association of America MPAAA).

Wikipedia

But it is premature to discuss eligibility before an entry has actually been submitted.

TechCrunch

"They keep talking about it, but Con Ed has never actually submitted a proposal," she said.

The New York Times

Los Angeles, which in 1984 had actually turned a profit on the games, submitted an initial bid for 2024.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had actually submitted" to emphasize that a submission took place, especially when there might be doubt or disbelief. For instance, "Despite initial skepticism, the team had actually submitted the proposal on time."

Common error

While "actually" can add emphasis, avoid overusing it, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or insincere. Instead, vary your language with synonyms or rephrase the sentence for stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had actually submitted" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It emphasizes the completion of an action—the submission—before a specific point in the past. Ludwig shows that this construction is used to confirm or highlight that an action was indeed completed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had actually submitted" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that serves to emphasize the completion of a past action—specifically, a submission. It is often employed to correct assumptions, highlight unexpected occurrences, or to provide reassurance. According to Ludwig, this phrase is seen across a variety of contexts, including news media, academic writing, and scientific reports. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for professional communication, while its emphasis adds clarity and force to the message. The confirmation that the phrase is both grammatically correct and versatile makes it a valuable tool for effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did in fact submit

Emphasizes the truthfulness of the submission.

truly submitted

Highlights the genuine nature of the submission.

indeed submitted

Affirms the submission with a sense of confirmation.

really submitted

Stresses the reality of the submission, contrasting with doubt.

veritably submitted

Emphasizes the submission as an undeniable fact.

literally submitted

Focuses on the exact and non-metaphorical act of submitting.

plainly submitted

Highlights that the submission was evident and straightforward.

unquestionably submitted

Indicates the submission happened without any doubt or contest.

positively submitted

Confirms the submission with assurance.

authentically submitted

Indicates that the submission was genuine and not a forgery.

FAQs

What does "had actually submitted" mean?

The phrase "had actually submitted" indicates that someone completed the action of submitting something, often with an implication that it might have been unexpected or doubted. It's used to emphasize that the submission occurred.

What can I say instead of "had actually submitted"?

You can use alternatives like "did in fact submit", "truly submitted", or "indeed submitted" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is "had actually submitted" formal or informal?

"Had actually submitted" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

How to use "had actually submitted" in a sentence?

You can use "had actually submitted" in sentences like: "Despite the rumors, the company had actually submitted its application before the deadline." or "The student had actually submitted the assignment, even though they claimed they hadn't finished it."