in fact
in fact — idiom
1. you say this to stress that something is really true, often when it is stronger
you say this to stress that something is really true, often when it is stronger than or different from what someone might expect.
Noor said the test would be easy, and in fact most students finished early.
in fact + clause confirming an earlier claim
The old bridge looks weak, but in fact it can hold three heavy trucks.
in fact introducing a surprising contrast
Many people think Diego is shy; in fact, he loves singing on stage.
The soup tasted plain, and in fact the cook had forgotten to add salt.
Aarav promised to come early, and in fact he arrived before anyone else.
- actually
more conversational; common in speech for the same correcting effect
- in reality
slightly more formal; stresses the contrast with appearance
- as a matter of fact
longer, often signals a frank or surprising admission
- supposedly
marks a claim as unconfirmed rather than confirming it as true
文法句型
in fact + clause
clause, in fact
用法筆記
Often sits at the start of a clause or after a comma to flag that what follows is the real situation, frequently overturning the listener's expectation. Common partner words are 'but' and 'actually'.