Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - actually

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. You use actually to indicate that a situation exists or happened, or to emphasize that it is true. One afternoon, I grew bored and actually fell asleep for a few minutes... Interest is only payable on the amount actually borrowed. ADV: ADV before v, ADV group c darkgreen]emphasis 2. You use actually when you are correcting or contradicting someone. No, I’m not a student. I’m a doctor, actually... ‘So it’s not a family show then?’—‘Well, actually, I think that’s exactly what it is.’ ADV: ADV with cl c darkgreen]emphasis 3. You can use actually when you are politely expressing an opinion that other people might not have expected from you. ‘Do you think it’s a good idea to socialize with one’s patients?’—‘Actually, I do, I think it’s a great idea.’... ADV: ADV with cl c darkgreen]politeness 4. You use actually to introduce a new topic into a conversation. Well actually, John, I rang you for some advice... ADV: ADV with cl