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Physically vs Actually - What's the difference?

physically | actually |

In obsolete terms the difference between physically and actually

is that physically is according to the rules of medicine while actually is actively.

As adverbs the difference between physically and actually

is that physically is in a physical manner while actually is in act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.

physically

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In a physical manner.
  • According to the laws of physics.
  • Using physical force.
  • (obsolete) According to the rules of medicine.
    • He that lives physically must live miserably. — Cheyne.

    actually

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (modal) In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
    • Actually , I had nothing to do with that incident.
  • (obsolete) actively
    • Neither actually nor passively. — Fuller.

    Alternative forms

    * actially (nonstandard)

    Usage notes

    * In some other languages a word of similar spelling means "now" or "currently"; (e.g., Portuguese "atualmente", Spanish "actualmente", French "actuellement", German "aktuell", Italian "attualmente", Czech ""). This leads many non-native speakers of English to use "actually" when they mean "now" or "currently". * Some commentators have: *
  • remarked upon the irony that this qualifier of veracity often introduces an utter lie;, page 3 and,
    • *
  • noted that in many cases, (term) functions as little more than a vacuous emphatic utterance.ibidem , page 4
    • * In practice, actually and its synonyms are often used to insinuate that the following is either unusual or contrary to a norm or preceding assumption, or to merely preface an overconfident opinion contrasting a previous statement or norm (as per 'vacuous emphasis' note above). : This is actually a really beautiful song. (contrasting opinion) : Actually , I'm not from France - I'm from Switzerland. (contrary from assumption) : At the check-out, the cashier actually greeted me for once. (contrary from norm)

    Synonyms

    * in reality * literally * really * truthfully

    References

    English modal adverbs English words suffixed with -ly