not only actually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only actually" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or redundant.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize a point, but it is better to choose clearer alternatives. Example: "He is not only actually the best player on the team, but also a great leader."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The McConnell plaintiffs, AFL-CIO, Chamber of Commerce, and NAM object to Section 201's disclosure requirements on the ground that they mandate disclosure of not only actually aired electioneering communications, but also contracts to make such communications.

The New York Times

I also went for a Turkish bath treatment at the Four Seasons, and here the bath was not only actually immaculate but also felt clean.

Forbes

After, if you're paying less than a dollar per download, but those customers end up not even opening the app, then you're not building a business; much better to pay more, say $5 or $6 per download, and land someone who'll not only actually open your app, but keep coming back to it to spend money.

TechCrunch

It was the fact of having a loving family that made the potential for the sudden removal of a loved one so painful to not only actually experience but to anticipate.

Huffington Post

In their rush to show voters they are proactively doing something to solve the financial crisis crushing Wall Street, the House, the Senate, and the Bush Administration have put together a bailout which not only actually may worsen the situation but whose true costs could stagger the American Economy.

Huffington Post

However, in the fragment: ' This overproduction is responsible not only for bone formation but also for…' the term ' not only' actually supports an affirmative statement.

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And so the possibility that some of Carrie's freely-made choices — in sex, love, and conspicuous consumption — might actually be not only mistaken but actually morally corrosive could only be hinted at, never fully explored.

The New York Times

Not only enjoyed, actually I fell upon it with great relief, a comedy that did not fall flat or over-reach itself.

The Guardian

That not only means actually manufacturing the product, but also managing all the ancillary stuff like packaging, documentation, shipping and fulfillment.

TechCrunch

In the present study, we have the advantage, compared with previous studies, of using data that are validated, prospectively collected, and population based, not only on actually performed intraoperative cholangiography but also on intended but failed procedures.

British Medical Journal

Zampella stated "We really wanted realistic battle chatter going that's not only entertaining, but actually adds to the gaming experience.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not only... but also", ensure the grammatical structure following "not only" mirrors the structure following "but also".

Common error

Avoid stacking adverbs unnecessarily. Using "actually" after "not only" can sometimes create a stilted or unnatural sound. Reword the sentence to achieve a smoother flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only actually" primarily functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, aiming to emphasize a particular aspect of a statement. As Ludwig AI points out, it may sometimes be redundant and replaceable with more concise alternatives, but can add emphasis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not only actually" is used to emphasize a statement, however, Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that it's often somewhat redundant. While grammatically acceptable, it's better to consider if the word "actually" truly adds emphasis or whether the sentence works better without it. Consider alternatives such as "not only but also" or "in fact" for improved clarity. Usage is most common in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just actually

Replaces "only" with "just" for a slightly different emphasis.

not only in fact

Substitutes "actually" with "in fact" to provide a more factual tone.

not only indeed

Replaces "actually" with "indeed" for a stronger affirmation.

not only really

Uses "really" instead of "actually" to soften the emphasis a bit.

not only truly

Employs "truly" for a more sincere and genuine emphasis.

not only but also

Omits "actually", focusing on the dual aspects being presented.

not simply but also

Uses "simply" instead of "only", offering a more straightforward tone.

in fact not only

Rearranges the phrase for a slightly different syntactic feel.

indeed not only

Starts with "indeed" to further emphasize what follows.

not just but also

Replaces "only actually" with "just but also" for a more casual expression.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not only actually" for better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "not only but also", "not just but also", or simply "in fact" depending on the context to enhance clarity and reduce redundancy.

Is it grammatically incorrect to use "not only actually"?

While not strictly incorrect, "not only actually" can be considered redundant. The word "actually" often doesn't add significant meaning when paired with "not only", and the sentence might be stronger without it.

What's the difference between "not only actually" and "not only in fact"?

"Not only actually" is often used for emphasis, while "not only in fact" suggests a statement that is surprisingly true or verifiable. "In fact" tends to provide a factual basis.

Can I replace "not only actually" with "not only really"?

Yes, you can often replace "not only actually" with "not only really". Both are used to add emphasis, but "really" might soften the tone slightly compared to "actually".