it actually is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it actually is' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the truthfulness of something. For example, you could say: "I thought it would be hard, but it actually is quite easy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It actually is horrendous.

The New York Times

Apparently, it actually is ferocious.

The New Yorker

If it actually is worrying, use "disturbing".

The Guardian

"It actually is unbelievable," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Maybe it actually is the ocean.

The New York Times - Books

That is, if it actually is cancer.

The New York Times - Health

This time, it actually is.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps you've wondered what it actually is?

The New York Times

It actually is a very honest document".

The New York Times

It actually is like their home town.

The Guardian - Film

"It actually is a good drink.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it actually is" to emphasize that something is indeed the case, especially when there might be doubt or surprise. For instance, "I thought the exam would be difficult, but it actually is quite manageable."

Common error

Avoid using "actually" excessively in writing, as it can weaken your message. Instead, reserve it for instances where you want to add emphasis or counter a misconception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it actually is" serves as an affirmative statement, emphasizing the truth or reality of a situation. It's used to confirm something, often against a prior assumption or expectation, aligning with Ludwig's finding that the phrase is indeed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it actually is" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the truthfulness of a statement, especially when there's an element of surprise or contradiction to prior beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media sources. While alternatives like "it really is" or "it certainly is" exist, "it actually is" provides a unique emphasis. Remember to avoid overuse, and utilize it when you aim to inject a degree of emphasis or counter a potential misconception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it really is

This alternative is very similar, replacing "actually" with "really" for a slightly different emphasis.

it genuinely is

This alternative uses "genuinely" to emphasize the sincerity of the statement.

it truly is

This alternative replaces "actually" with "truly" to convey authenticity.

it certainly is

This alternative uses "certainly" to express a higher degree of confidence.

it definitely is

This alternative uses "definitely" to emphasize the lack of doubt.

it indeed is

This alternative employs "indeed" for a more formal and emphatic affirmation.

it factually is

This alternative uses "factually" to highlight the truthfulness of the statement.

it demonstrably is

This alternative uses "demonstrably" to suggest that the statement can be proven.

that's the truth

This alternative uses a different structure to assert the veracity of something.

that's really the case

This alternative uses a more descriptive phrase to express the reality of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "it actually is" in a sentence?

Use "it actually is" to emphasize or confirm a statement, often when there is a prior assumption or doubt. For example, "I didn't think the movie would be good, but "it actually is"."

What are some alternatives to saying "it actually is"?

You can use alternatives such as "it really is", "it certainly is", or "it definitely is" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to use "actually" with "is"?

While "actually" can sometimes be redundant, in many cases it adds emphasis or surprise to a statement. The phrase "it actually is" is commonly used to highlight that something is true despite expectations.

What's the difference between "it actually is" and "it is actually"?

The phrase "it actually is" places more emphasis on the "is", confirming something against an expectation. "It is actually" places more emphasis on the "actually", highlighting the fact that something is true. The difference is subtle, but relates to emphasis.