Really, Actually, Virtually

Question

Could any point out the difference among the above three words. Actually(or Really), I am quite confused.

Usenet · Accepted Answer

To add to your confusion, I trhrow in "practically".

Believe it or not, in certain contexts, "practically"="virtually".

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Could any point out the difference among the above three words. Actually(or Really), I am quite confused.[/nq]
"Actually" and "really" are interchangeable when they are used to mean "in act or in fact." Examples:

However, "actually" and "really" have non-overlapping usages as well:

Really:
used as an intensifier used to emphasize an assertion
Actually:
in point of fact used to suggest something unexpected
(Similar words include: truly, literally.)
"Virtually" means something entirely different:
in essence or effect but not in fact: effectively
nearly, almost, practically

As you can see, "virtually" can be used as an antonym to "really" or "actually". Think about what "virtual reality" means, and the role that each word plays in forming the import of the phrase.

-skipka

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]"Virtually" means something entirely different: in essence or effect but not in fact: effectively nearly, ... about what "virtual reality" means, and the role that each word plays in forming the import of the phrase. -skipka[/nq]
I think it's similar to "essentially" (in some senses), and that "virtue" and "essence" have similar meanings. "I'm essentially broke" means "While I may still have a bank balance, for all practical purposes, I'm broke."

"Essential" can means other things too, of course.

Michael West

Really, Actually, Virtually

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