Not actually vs not really

Both 'not actually' and 'not really' are correct phrases in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Not actually' is often used to correct a misconception or provide additional information, while 'not really' is used to express doubt or disagreement. They are not interchangeable, as they convey different nuances.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 191 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to correct a misconception or provide additional information.

"Not actually"

Use 'not actually' when you want to clarify a point or correct a mistaken belief. It is often used to provide more accurate information.

Examples:

I thought she was from France, but not actually, she is from Belgium.
Not actually, the event starts at 6 p.m., not 5 p.m.
He's not actually the owner of the company, but the CEO.
Not actually, I don't have a dog, I have a cat.
The book was not actually written by the author's sister, but by a ghostwriter.

Show examples from the web [+]

No. Not actually Sean Bean.
MameTyramon Not actually a Holy Knight, but one of Duke's servants.
Because I am not actually your handler.
She's not actually in control of the system.
That's not actually one of the steps.
So the columns do not actually support anything.
Despite its name, the route does not actually extend to Brussels.
Yes, that's not actually mine.
We're-we're not actually going to Dave Buster's.
The last entry's July 12th, though there's not actually anything on the pages before that.
Not actually practisin', you understand.
Not actually practicin', you understand.
Not actually something I would appreciate, but...
Not actually, but give me time and a crayon.
Not actually elope, obviously, just make him think that we are.
Not actually practising', you understand.
Not actually killing yourself, but the threat of it?
Not actually a real nun, by the way... just a woman in a costume.
No! Not actually eyes, but lenses, coloured and luminous, that will reveal reality as it actually is.
Not actually here, just more likely to be here than not be here.

Alternatives:

in fact
actually not
contrary to popular belief
surprisingly not
as a matter of fact

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express doubt or disagreement.

"not really"

Use 'not really' when you want to express skepticism, disagreement, or lack of enthusiasm about something. It is often used in casual conversations.

Examples:

I'm not really sure if I want to go to the party.
Not really, I don't think that's the best option.
He's not really a fan of spicy food.
I'm not really into horror movies.
Not really, I don't agree with that statement.

Show examples from the web [+]

Rayyan, that's not really appropriate.
Musicians, not really my dream.
That's not really the problem.
Nothing is ever forgotten, not really.
These people are not really corporate.
Old school's not really my style.
Purple's not really my color.
I'm not really into college football.
It's not really my birthday.
Though they not really from me.
Russ concepts are not really my specialty.
Thailand's not really a grapes country.
Waltzing is not really my forte.
Science - not really my thing.
Classical's not really my thing.
Places are not really that important.
Hip-hop's not really my thing.
These symptoms are not really flu.
The guiro is not really a fundamental salsa instrument.
Before that, forgiveness is not really possible.

Alternatives:

not exactly
not truly
not quite
not entirely
not wholly

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Not actually vs not really

"Not actually"

"not really"

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