Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite

I used actually in this sentence but my teacher said that doesn't make sense. He looks like fearless but actually he is not so brave. What did I do wrong?

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 13 down vote

There is something wrong with that sentence, but it's not the word "actually". To be grammatical, the first part should be something like: "he looks fearless but", "he looks like he is fearless but", or "he looks like a hero but".

In this construction, an adjective should go directly after "looks". You can put nouns or phrases after "he looks like".

share|improve this answer
As the smae as I think.Thank you very much! – user37328 Feb 12 at 22:07
Isn't smae Scottish for small? – Robusto Feb 12 at 22:44
The use of like as a pragmatic marker (the sort used as a filler to give the speaker time to decide on the best way to phrase the sentence): He looks - like - fearless, but actually he is not so brave. / He looks - er - fearless, but actually he is not so brave. / He looks - well - fearless, but actually he is not so brave. is not favourably countenanced by some people. – Edwin Ashworth Feb 12 at 23:47
The use of actually as a pragmatic marker (here, the sort used to comment on the truthfulness, factuality or reliability of the accompanying proposition) (ie a 'veridical' marker) is widely accepted (though some people still like to keep it in the adverb hotchpotch). – Edwin Ashworth Feb 12 at 23:53
up vote 1 down vote

In my mind, the "actually" sounds a little off where it's located.

I would say, "He looks fearless, but he is actually not so brave."

I think this may just be a matter of personal preference, as I don't see anything grammatically incorrect with either construction.

share|improve this answer
3  
The position of actually in the OP's example is indeed a bit informal, and yours is standard. But neither is actually wrong. – Cerberus Feb 12 at 23:01
@Cerberus: "... but actually he is not so brave." "... but he is actually not so brave." "... but he is not actually so brave." "... but he is not so brave, actually." All are fine variations and partake of no degree of formality or informality. – Robusto Feb 12 at 23:13
2  
Equally, But actually, neither is wrong. – TimLymington Feb 12 at 23:14
1  
@Robusto: I don't know, the disjunct still sounds slightly less formal to me. But it doesn't matter. – Cerberus Feb 12 at 23:17

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.