that actually was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that actually was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the reality or truth of a past situation or event. Example: "The movie we watched last night was surprisingly good, and that actually was a pleasant surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

That actually was progress.

The New Yorker

That actually was pretty clear about what he was doing".

The New York Times

"That, actually, was my bad idea," Weisberg said.

The New Yorker

LD: That, actually, was in the script, because we thought of our father.

The Guardian - Film

"That actually was the first, very first scene that was produced," Mr. Powell said.

The New York Times

"That, actually, was the one thing we disagreed on when we first saw John's programming," Mr. Guzelimian said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

That actually is changing some.

The New Yorker

(That "actually" is perfect).

The New Yorker

That, actually, is relatively easy.

The New Yorker

That actually isn't quite right.

The Guardian - Sport

Nobody knows what that actually is yet.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While versatile, the phrase works best when emphasizing a truth or reality that might be doubted or overlooked.

Common error

Avoid using "that actually was" excessively in writing, as it can become repetitive and weaken the impact of your message. Instead, vary your sentence structure and word choice to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that actually was" functions as a declarative statement, emphasizing the reality of a past situation or event. As Ludwig confirms, it highlights something that is, or was, indeed the case, often contrary to expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that actually was" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the reality of a past event, often in contexts where the truth might be surprising or initially doubted. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media. While suitable for various situations, it's important to avoid overuse and consider more formal alternatives like "that truly was" in certain contexts. Its communicative purpose is primarily to affirm and confirm, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that genuinely was

Replaces "actually" with "genuinely" to emphasize the sincerity or truthfulness of the statement.

that truly was

Substitutes "actually" with "truly" to underscore the veracity of the past event.

that really was

Employs "really" instead of "actually" for a more informal yet affirmative tone.

that in fact was

Replaces "actually" with "in fact" to provide a stronger confirmation, often used to correct a misunderstanding.

that essentially was

Changes "actually" to "essentially" to highlight the core nature or summary of a past situation.

that fundamentally was

Uses "fundamentally" in place of "actually" to emphasize the foundational aspect of what happened.

it indeed was

Restructures the sentence and uses "indeed" for a slightly more formal affirmation.

it certainly was

Replaces the structure and uses "certainly" to express confidence in the truth of the statement.

that happened to be

Focuses on the coincidental or incidental nature of the past event.

that proved to be

Highlights the eventual confirmation or revelation of the past event's nature.

FAQs

How can I use "that actually was" in a sentence?

You can use "that actually was" to emphasize the truth or reality of a past event or situation, often when it might be surprising or unexpected. For example, "The presentation was surprisingly effective; that actually was one of their best performances".

What's a more formal way to say "that actually was"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "that truly was" or "that genuinely was", which provide a stronger sense of confirmation and sincerity.

Is "that actually was" interchangeable with "that really was"?

While similar, "that really was" often carries a slightly more informal tone than "that actually was". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "that actually was" and "that happened to be"?

The phrase "that happened to be" emphasizes the coincidental or incidental nature of something, while "that actually was" stresses the truth or reality of a past event, even if unexpected.