actuality
/ˌæktʃuˈæləti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌæktʃuˈæləti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē ˌak-shə-/ (ame, mw)
actuality — noun
- actualitysingular
- actualitiesplural
1. a fact that something really exists or has happened, especially when this is dif
a fact that something really exists or has happened, especially when this is different from what people imagine, wish, or believe — for example, the actuality of climate change affecting coastal towns, or the harsh actualities of life during a war.
Theo struggled to accept the actuality of losing his childhood home in the fire.
the actuality of + gerund phrase
Sofia's documentary showed the harsh actualities of life in the refugee camp.
actualities (plural) = concrete facts of a hard situation
The actuality of the situation finally hit Kenji when he saw the empty factory.
Camila wrote a book about the actualities faced by single mothers in the city.
The students were shocked by the actuality of what war means for civilians.
文法句型
the actuality of [something]
[possessive] actualities (plural)
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form actualities to refer to the real facts or conditions of a particular situation, especially difficult ones.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe what is really true in a situation, especially when this is dif
used to describe what is really true in a situation, especially when this is different from outward appearances, public claims, or common assumptions — for example, a product that seems cheap but in actuality costs more over time.
The plan looked simple on paper, but in actuality it was extremely complex.
in actuality contrasting with appearance
Diego thought the exam would be easy, but in actuality it was quite difficult.
Fatima seemed calm on stage, but in actuality her hands were shaking.
In actuality, the company's profits were much lower than the reports claimed.
People call it a romance, but in actuality the film is more of a drama.
- actually
less formal and far more common in everyday speech
- in reality
similar formality; slightly more common than 'in actuality'
- in fact
neutral register; used both in writing and conversation
- apparently
refers to how something seems, not how it actually is
- supposedly
based on what people believe or claim, not on fact
文法句型
in actuality (as a sentence adverb or adverbial phrase)
用法筆記
This sense only appears in the fixed phrase 'in actuality'. It functions like a sentence adverb, similar to 'in fact' or 'actually', but is more formal. Cannot be used as 'in the actuality' or 'in this actuality'.
常見錯誤
3. the condition of being a real, physical or concrete thing, rather than just a po
the condition of being a real, physical or concrete thing, rather than just a possibility, an idea, or an abstract concept — for example, the actuality of a tree you can touch compared with the idea of a tree that you only imagine.
Ananya's philosophy paper discussed the nature of actuality versus possibility.
actuality versus possibility (philosophical contrast)
For Aristotle, a seed holds potential, but only the full-grown tree is actuality.
Dr. Okafor asked the class to define actuality without using the word reality.
The seminar debated whether abstract numbers have actuality outside the mind.
Ibrahim found the concept of pure actuality difficult to grasp at first.
- potentiality
the capacity or possibility of becoming something, rather than actually being it
- possibility
something that may or may not happen or exist
文法句型
actuality versus possibility
potentiality and actuality
用法筆記
Primarily a technical term in philosophy, where it is contrasted with potentiality or possibility. Not used in everyday conversation. Distinguish from sense 1 (ACTUAL FACT), which refers to a concrete fact rather than an abstract philosophical state.