Common Mistakes : Actually

Actually – Adverb

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BAD: I never get bored by this city. Actually, each time I return I find something new to interest me

GOOD: I never get bored by this city. In fact, each time I return I find something new to interest me

When actually means ‘in fact’, it is usually used to correct a misunderstanding: ‘People think we’ve got lots of money, but actually we’re quite poor.’ ‘I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.’ – Well actually I’ve only just arrived

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BAD: We need to produce and export more than we do actually

GOOD: We need to produce and export more than we do at present

When you mean ‘at the present time’, use at present, at the moment or currently (NOT actually ) : ‘At present the company is very short of staff.’ At the moment I’m working part-time in a travel agency