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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
has actually been
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "has actually been" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used when discussing something that had been predicted or assumed to have happened, but actually occurred or existed. For example: "It had been thought that the species had gone extinct, but it has actually been found in remote areas of the forest."
✓ Grammatically correct
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
In other words, if a peach is listed as having 40 Calories, this indicates that that peach has actually 40,000 calories.
Encyclopedias
Conversely, up to 52% (14/27) of the histologically HER2-positive patients had actually HER2-negative CTCs, and these patients may not benefit from anti-HER2 therapy.
Science
With 129 yards, Anderson has actually accumulated 11 more receiving yards than Chrebet.
News & Media
–This review states that a book by Joseph Finder, "Paranoia," has sold 270,000 copies; it has actually sold 750,000.
News & Media
That opening-up process has actually been 30 years in the making.
News & Media
On the other hand, out of those 500, he has actually recommended only 1 person for conversion.
News & Media
(iii) Notice that the lower bound (4.63) has actually shown that, under (4.67) ((4.70), resp ., the gaps of consecutive zeros of all nonzero solutions of (2.1) are (, resp).
Science
Notice that the lower bound (4.63) has actually shown that, under (4.67) ((4.70), resp ., the gaps of consecutive zeros of all nonzero solutions of (2.1) are (, resp).
Science
In the north, fertility has actually increased, from 1.4 in 1980 to 1.5 now.
News & Media
Its share of global clothing exports has actually risen, from 42.6% in 2011 to 43.1% in 2013.
News & Media
Real median household income has actually dipped since 2000.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Consider the context and choose a synonym if "has actually been" feels too strong or informal for your intended audience.
Common error
Avoid using "actually" excessively, as it can weaken your writing and make it sound less confident. Instead, focus on presenting the facts directly and letting the reader draw their own conclusions.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "has actually been" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the occurrence or existence of something in the past with an emphasis on its reality or unexpectedness. Given Ludwig's AI indications, it underscores a truth that may contrast with prior assumptions.
Frequent in
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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News & Media
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "has actually been" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to emphasize the reality of a situation, especially when it might be unexpected or contrary to previous assumptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is generally considered acceptable, though its appropriateness can vary based on the context's formality. Although the number of examples is currently missing, it can be replaced by constructions as "has in fact been", "has truly been" or "has indeed been" to maximize readability.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
has in fact been
Emphasizes the reality of the situation, similar to "has actually been".
has truly been
Highlights the genuineness of the state or event.
has indeed been
Confirms the occurrence of something, often implying a previous doubt.
has demonstrably been
Implies that something has been proven or shown to be the case.
has verifiably been
Highlights the presence of evidence to support a claim.
has undeniably been
Implies that something cannot be disputed or questioned.
has concretely been
Focuses on the tangible or factual nature of something.
has genuinely been
Emphasizes the authenticity of the situation.
has legitimately been
Indicates that something has occurred according to the rules or laws.
has effectively been
Suggests that something is practically the same as something else.
FAQs
How can I use "has actually been" in a sentence?
Use "has actually been" to emphasize that something is true, especially when it might be unexpected or contrary to a previous belief. For example: "The project was initially projected to fail, but it "has actually been" quite successful."
What's the difference between "has actually been" and "has really been"?
"Has actually been" emphasizes a surprising or unexpected truth, while "has really been" simply emphasizes the genuineness or reality of something. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the element of surprise.
What can I say instead of "has actually been"?
You can use alternatives like "has in fact been", "has truly been", or "has indeed been" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is "has actually been" formal or informal?
"Has actually been" is generally considered neutral and acceptable in most contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might opt for a more concise or direct phrasing.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested