Actually or Really

Emphatic devices

There are a number of ways of adding emphasis to part of a sentence in English. Actually and really can be used to make part of a sentence or a whole sentence more emphatic.

Actually

Actually is used to introduce something unexpected or to reinforce opinion.
Although she failed the test, she is actually very bright.
Yes, you were right; it was actually an amazing concert.

Really

Really can be used to make a verb or a sentence less emphatic and to make a verb more emphatic depending on its position.

Really – less emphatic
Sentence
They weren’t interested in my photographs really.
Verb
They weren’t really interested in my photographs.

More emphatic
They really weren’t interested in my photographs.
They were really interested in my photographs

Lesson by Tristan, teacher at EC Malta English school

Choose between actually or really for the following:

• 1. I don’t _ think much of her cooking.
  
  really
  actually
  
  
• 2. He doesn’t _ feel very well.
  
  really
  actually
  
  
• 3. That fried chicken was _ quite good.
  
  actually
  really
  
  
• 4. I don’t _ agree with that.
  
  really
  actually
  
  
• 5. Well, _ I think pizzas are very unhealthy.
  
  actually
  really
  
  
• 6. You’ll find that some fruit is _ quite fattening.
  
  really
  actually
  
  
• 7. I think fish and chips _ aren’t healthy.
  
  really
  actually
  
  
• 8. Sometimes I feel like a _ huge burger.
  
  actually
  really
  
  
• 9. He is _ overweight.
  
  actually
  really
  
  
• 10. It’s not _ much of a restaurant. It’s more like a snack bar.
  
  really
  actually
  
  
• 11. _ I don’t fancy a big meal.
  
  Actually
  Really
  
  
• 12. _ I think fish is rather overpriced.
  
  Really
  Actually