Actually - No?

[ishtat]

Can anyone think of a sentence in which either: actually or, even better: actually, as a matter of fact, adds any meaning?

 

[silversword]

Can anyone think of a sentence in which either: actually or, even better: actually, as a matter of fact, adds any meaning?

I'm not sure that "actually, as a matter of fact" adds meaning but it does add emphasis.

 

[Gorza]

"She groaned when he told her that his favourite film was Godfather II.

He saw her nose wrinkle, and shot back, 'So what's your favourite film then?'

She searched her mind for something impressive and arty, but her hesitation was starting to look embarrassing. 'Err... well... it's Love Actually... actually'."

 

[lovecraft68]

Actually-along with almost-are the first words I was told to lose from my first stories by my original editor here. It adds very little and the editor's point was when you read it out loud...it makes you sound like a kid.

The one example I can think of where its works is

"Jim said he'll take care of it tomorrow."

"You think he'll actually do it?"

Even then it's not necessary, but it at least sounds right.

This brings to mind another word in the same vein "literally" for me, that one is more annoying when I read it.

"He literally threw him out." as opposed to "he figuratively threw him out"

 

[coochiebarber]

Actually, I don't mind you looking at me but, my mother does. As a matter of fact, I love it.

 

[jsmiam]

Shorten-nazis want it obliterated completely, and to be fair, they are usually right. Just not always.

- "The male betta is the parent who actually cares for the young." - Yes, discardable. Even if it is relaying that it's uncommon, it arguably isn't adding enough value.

- "Are you actually wearing striped pants with a plaid shirt?" - Conveys indignation, and adds meaning. Removing also loses tone and meaning, makes the writing lifeless.

So usually superfluous, but not always.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Can anyone think of a sentence in which either: actually or, even better: actually, as a matter of fact, adds any meaning?

Yep.

"The official record states that Elvis Presley was found unresponsive on his bathroom floor on August 16, 1977, and was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm that day. His funeral was held on August 18th; thousands thronged to Graceland to pay their respects. His death was ascribed to a possible heart attack with drug abuse a contributing factor. Actually, Elvis had been a Soviet double-agent since his posting to Germany in the 1950s. Knowing his cover was about to be blown, he arranged for a double to be murdered and planted in his place, while his handlers spirited him away through a secret tunnel under Graceland."

The "actually" signals a switch in the direction of the narrative; it tells us that we should doubt what we've just been told, and that we're about to hear a different version. Without it, that paragraph is confusingly self-contradictory; "actually" helps the reader keep up with a sudden u-turn.

Yes, the word is much overused, but it has its place.

In dialogue, "filler" words can be a useful way to convey a character's lack of confidence, or that they're stalling while they think of what to say.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Actually-along with almost-are the first words I was told to lose from my first stories by my original editor here. It adds very little and the editor's point was when you read it out loud...it makes you sound like a kid.

The one example I can think of where its works is

"Jim said he'll take care of it tomorrow."

"You think he'll actually do it?"

Even then it's not necessary, but it at least sounds right.

This brings to mind another word in the same vein "literally" for me, that one is more annoying when I read it.

"He literally threw him out." as opposed to "he figuratively threw him out"

good examples. Some adverbs act as what I call BUSINESS BYPASS shortcuts around long familiar clauses. ACTUALLY, REALLY, NATURALLY, LITERALLY etc are examples.

 

[Desiremakesmeweak]

Yeah that's why not many of you win at the races. There is a difference between the real odds, and the actual odds.

And actually, I'm not going to explain it as a matter of fact!

 

[sr71plt]

We're talking exclusively narrative, right? There would be very good reason to use it in dialogue, as actual speech is littered with it and overusing it in dialogue can help define your character, (actually).

 

[HandsInTheDark]

Shorten-nazis want it obliterated completely, and to be fair, they are usually right. Just not always.

- "The male betta is the parent who actually cares for the young." - Yes, discardable. Even if it is relaying that it's uncommon, it arguably isn't adding enough value.

- "Are you actually wearing striped pants with a plaid shirt?" - Conveys indignation, and adds meaning. Removing also loses tone and meaning, makes the writing lifeless.

So usually superfluous, but not always.

This. Perfect summation.

As a matter of fact indicates peevishness. I have younger characters use it when they are annoyed and trying to sound more adult and failing.

"Literally" is a pet peeve. Way more often right than wrong.

 

[Handley_Page]

Can anyone think of a sentence in which either: actually or, even better: actually, as a matter of fact, adds any meaning?

In the mouth of a "Detective" or similar character of considerable precision, yes, I actually think I can.
As a matter of fact, I'm sure of it!

 

[ishtat]

We're talking exclusively narrative, right? There would be very good reason to use it in dialogue, as actual speech is littered with it and overusing it in dialogue can help define your character, (actually).

Pilot has, I think, got the principle right, that its use illustrates a difference between written narrative and everyday speech. Lovecraft reached a similar conclusion through examples.

My general interest is in the 'how' language develops. Many learned books will expand on the literary influences on language, the Bible, Shakespeare etc. but I favour the idea that most fundamental changes occur in the non-literary environment and perhaps these apparently weak adverbs serve to modify and change over time the meaning of the words they qualify?

 

[PervOtaku]

Shorten-nazis want it obliterated completely, and to be fair, they are usually right. Just not always.

Indeed. And even so, making every sentence as concise as it could possibly be isn't necessarily a laudable goal. There is a flavor to language that comes from the use of such words. Personally, I don't feel like second guessing all my word choices just because something here and there isn't strictly necessary to getting the idea across.