used actual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used actual" is not correct in standard written English as it lacks clarity and context.
It may be intended to convey that something was utilized in its real or genuine form, but it requires additional context to be meaningful. Example: "In the experiment, we used actual data from previous studies to ensure accuracy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When BW was actually measured or calculated, 69% used actual BW (ABW) and 28% ideal BW (IBW), some both.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

We used actual demographic data, obtained from the 2001 census, which allowed us to simulate the spread of an influenza pandemic and the impact of control measures.

Plosone

Some used actual money, some didn't.

The Economist

Fortunately, last year the Productivity Commission looked at tax and benefits and used actual incomes.

The Guardian - Business

She never used actual measurements - just a finger of this and a handful of that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They shot in police precincts and used actual tellers for bank robberies.

The New York Times

N.H.K. used actual vote tallies and its own projections of contested races.

The New York Times

I have also used actual production bugs for the test when we have been recruiting for very specific roles.

The Guardian

He dealt with people's names and used actual recordings, and it was exactly the right thing to do.

The New York Times - Arts

They were correct, but the annual salary reports produced by management and the players association have never used actual dollars spent.

The New York Times - Sports

(Mr. Boudin had used actual silk swags, which were, like many of his touches, generally seen in European houses of the day, but not American ones).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing methodologies, replace "used actual" with stronger verbs like "utilized", "employed", or "implemented" for improved clarity and formality. For example, instead of "We used actual data", try "We utilized real-world data".

Common error

Avoid placing "actual" directly after "used" without a clear noun. "Used actual" can sound awkward. Instead, clarify what was actual, such as "used actual data", or rephrase to "used genuine information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used actual" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, but it lacks grammatical precision. Ludwig AI points out that while found in numerous sources, it often requires rewording for improved clarity. In most instances, it precedes a noun, specifying the type of data or object involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

48%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "used actual" is frequently encountered across diverse sources, including news, media, and scientific publications, it is often flagged by Ludwig AI as lacking grammatical precision. It serves to emphasize the employment of something real or genuine. For enhanced clarity and formality, especially in academic or professional contexts, substituting it with alternatives like "utilized real", "employed genuine", or "applied authentic" is advisable. The register varies depending on the source, with formal alternatives preferred for more sophisticated writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

employed real

Replaces "used actual" with "employed real", focusing on formal language and realness.

utilized genuine

Substitutes "used actual" with "utilized genuine", emphasizing a more formal tone and authenticity.

applied authentic

Replaces "used actual" with "applied authentic", highlighting the application of something real.

implemented real

Substitutes "used actual" with "implemented real", focusing on the implementation of something tangible.

adopted factual

Replaces "used actual" with "adopted factual", emphasizing the adoption of truthful information.

incorporated true

Substitutes "used actual" with "incorporated true", highlighting the inclusion of something genuine.

relied on precise

Replaces "used actual" with "relied on precise", focusing on using exact or accurate information.

worked with verified

Substitutes "used actual" with "worked with verified", emphasizing the employment of something checked for accuracy.

took into account concrete

Replaces "used actual" with "took into account concrete", highlighting the inclusion of definite or real data.

factored in tangible

Substitutes "used actual" with "factored in tangible", focusing on the inclusion of touchable or real information.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "used actual"?

Consider alternatives like "utilized real", "employed genuine", or "applied authentic" for better grammatical flow.

How can I use "utilized genuine" in a sentence?

Instead of saying "We used actual samples", you could say "We utilized genuine soil samples from the site."

Is "used actual" technically incorrect?

While commonly found, "used actual" is not considered standard English. It's better to rephrase for clarity and grammatical correctness.

What is the difference between "used actual" versus "employed real"?

"Employed real" is a more formal and grammatically sound way of saying "used actual", adding sophistication to your writing.