Actually vs. Literally: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
Actually is used to express contrast or reality, while literally means exactly as stated without exaggeration or metaphor.
Key Differences
Actually often introduces a fact or reality that may be surprising or unexpected, whereas literally is used to indicate that something happens or is true in the most basic sense, without metaphor or exaggeration.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
In conversation, actually can be used to correct a misunderstanding or provide clarification, while literally emphasizes the exactness and truth of the statement, indicating that it is true in a strict sense.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Actually can imply a contrast with what was previously stated or believed, subtly correcting or refuting it. In contrast, literally is used to stress that a statement or description is true in the most fundamental sense and should not be interpreted figuratively.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
The word actually might be used when revealing information that is contrary to what is expected or assumed, whereas literally is often employed to assert that a statement is true in its most basic or non-figurative sense.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
While actually can sometimes be used as a filler word in conversation without significantly altering the meaning of the sentence, literally is a stronger term that is used to emphasize the truthfulness and directness of a statement or description.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Expresses reality or contrast.
Indicates exactness, without exaggeration.
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Usage in Correction
Used to correct or clarify.
Used to emphasize the truthfulness.
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Dec 29, 2023
Figurative vs. Literal
Often used in figurative context.
Used to specify a non-figurative meaning.
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Dec 29, 2023
Interpretation
Can introduce new or contrary information.
Indicates that words are true in the strictest sense.
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Actually and Literally Definitions
Actually
Often introduces a contrast or correction.
I thought it was Tuesday, but actually, it's Wednesday.
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Literally
Emphasizes the absence of exaggeration.
I literally couldn't believe my eyes.
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Dec 29, 2023
Actually
Can be used conversationally as a filler.
Actually, I think you might be right.
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Literally
Means exactly as stated.
He was literally the last person to leave.
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Actually
Used to express the truth or reality.
Actually, I've never been to Paris.
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Literally
Used to indicate a precise fact.
The book literally fell into my lap.
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Actually
Can signify a clarification.
She actually meant to arrive early, not late.
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Literally
Often stresses the truth of a statement.
She was literally the best in her class.
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Literally
Counters a figurative interpretation.
The building was literally on fire.
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Literally
In a literal manner; word for word
Translated the Greek passage literally.
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Oct 19, 2023
Actually
Used to express wonder, surprise, or incredulity
I actually won the lottery!.
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Oct 19, 2023
Actually
(modal) In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
His promises did not correspond with what he actually did.
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Oct 19, 2023
Literally
Actually; in effect; practically. Used as an intensive to emphasize a figurative statement in an exaggerated way
“There are people in the world who literally do not know how to boil water” (Craig Claiborne). I was so angry that my heart literally exploded with rage.
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Oct 19, 2023
Literally
Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.
When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan.
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Oct 19, 2023
Literally
Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)
He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air.
My daughter's pet rabbit had babies, and now we've literally got rabbits coming out of our ears.
On 9/11 people were literally glued to their TV sets.
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Oct 19, 2023
Literally
(colloquial) Used to intensify or dramatize non-figurative statements.
I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.
I was literally having breakfast when she arrived.
She was literally like, "What?", and I was literally like, "Yeah".
Literally who is this?
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Oct 19, 2023
Literally
(colloquial) Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.
It's not even hard to make—you literally just put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done.
It won't take me long to get back, cause the store's literally two blocks away.
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Oct 19, 2023
Actually
In actual fact;
To be nominally but not actually independent
No one actually saw the shark
Large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt
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Literally
According to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not be literally one flesh.
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Oct 19, 2023
Actually
Used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly;
You may actually be doing the right thing by walking out
She actually spoke Latin
They thought they made the rules but in reality they were only puppets
People who seem stand-offish are in reality often simply nervous
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Literally
With close adherence to words; word by word.
So wild and ungovernable a poet can not be translated literally.
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Actually
As a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis;
Actually, we all help clear up after a meal
Actually, I haven't seen the film
I'm not all that surprised actually
She hasn't proved to be too satisfactory, actually
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Actually
At the present moment;
The transmission screen shows the picture that is actually on the air
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Literally
(intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration;
Our eyes were literally pinned to TV during the Gulf war
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is it correct to use literally for emphasis?
While commonly used for emphasis, it's technically incorrect if the statement isn't literal.
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Dec 29, 2023
What does actually mean?
Actually expresses truth, reality, or a contrast with previous statements.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does actually always correct a previous statement?
Often, but not always. It can also introduce new information or clarify.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can actually be omitted without changing the meaning?
Sometimes, especially if it's used as a filler word in conversation.
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Dec 29, 2023
What is an example of misusing literally?
Saying "I literally died laughing" when you did not actually die.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is actually used for emphasis?
It can be, especially when correcting or contradicting something.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can literally be used to clarify a statement?
Yes, it clarifies that the statement is true in the most basic sense.
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Dec 29, 2023
How is literally used?
Literally is used to indicate that something is true exactly as stated.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can literally be used in a figurative sense?
It's often misused that way, but its correct usage is to describe something that is actually true.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can actually and literally be used interchangeably?
No, they have different meanings and are used in different contexts.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is actually formal or informal?
Actually can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is actually used to introduce factual statements?
Yes, particularly to clarify or correct.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does literally always mean 'in a literal sense'?
Yes, that's the correct usage, though it's often used incorrectly for emphasis.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is actually a synonym for 'really'?
Not exactly, though they can sometimes be used similarly.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is it okay to use literally in casual speech?
Yes, but be mindful of its correct meaning.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can actually be used to soften a correction?
Yes, it's often used to gently correct or contradict.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does actually imply doubt?
It can, especially when used to introduce a contrasting statement.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can literally be used to describe metaphors?
No, it's used to indicate that something is not a metaphor.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Does literally have a figurative use?
It's commonly misused that way, but its proper use is literal.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is it grammatically correct to use literally for exaggeration?
No, this is a common misuse of the word.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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