Another dangerous intruder to the English vocabulary, as one of the language purists would have it, is the three-syllable word, “actually,” commonly verbalised by even the most polished and educated person. It has become a habit to the amazement of enthusiasts of the Queen’s English that no one cares any more how often people cheapen the word, “actually,” through overuse without feeling any sense of guilt. Derived from the adjective, “actual,” something existing as a fact, real, not imagined, guess, current, present, as Chambers 21st Century Dictionary would reveal, the adverb, “actually” has stuck; especially so, for those who now use it as an intensifier to emphasise their argument or establish a point, as a matter of fact, so to speak.
But still, one can speak or write without the addition of the hackneyed or tired phrase, “actually” without losing anything. To quote one of the English masters, “Always ask yourself if additions like these, (one of them ‘actually’), are really necessary. If they are not, don’t use them; they will only detract from what you have to say.” Surprisingly, the adverb, “actually,” is gaining currency, spoken not only on the spur of the moment, but as many times as the user of the language wants it. It has become notoriously infectious that every Tom, Dick and Harry, permit me to use the forbidden cliché, now mouths “actually” unconsciously, to stress the argument, or settle a point. Furthermore, the language pragmatists also lament that it is not only single words, such as “actually” which suffer from overuse. One can also run oneself into trouble by using statements such as, “if you like,” and “as it were” too often. Such phrases, the purists and masters, maintain, “have become the verbal equivalent of inverted commas.”
The pertinent question, is, can’t one look beyond the adverb, “actually,” find other suitable replacement and still make his or her stand clear? There are numerous synonyms, if one is mindful to change the narrative and avoid sounding like a broken record, again, another hackneyed expression that has lost the shine, “broken record.” In other words, saying the same thing every now and then, without taking a break, or switch to other alternative word without losing the meaning. The dictionary, in the course of our discussion has given us a hint of dumping the over flogged, and dying expression, “actually.” The vocabulary has almost been rendered useless owing to overuse. Pragmatic English demands that when a phrase has become too popular is a sign that its impact is gradually waning, or fading away.
The majority of readers and listeners no longer see the vocabulary strange or strong enough to excite them. They mutedly hunger for a change, even though they may not be able to tell the author or speaker to his face. A reasonable and sensitive writer or presenter knows when to say enough of recycling or repeating same word, let me switch to something fresh to inform, educate, entertain or amuse the listeners and readers to act through the use of oven baked English. I am not emphasising that we must revert to home grown English. But simply to go beyond words that are too cheap to come by. In fact, these expressions present themselves at every turn one attempts to put pen on paper to scribble an idea or opinion meant for the public domain or consumption, for example.
Don’t be easily carried away by first impression. Think it through. Weigh your options. After all, the compilers of the English thesaurus in their wisdom, have put in place over 100,000 synonyms, carefully arranged to kill boredom by providing alternative words one can choose from without sounding repetitive. The detraction, “actually,” one can make do and write convincingly without appealing to it. It’s as simple as ABC. Pick up the reference materials generously made available off and online; be creative in weaving together your idea, readers and the listening audience would follow you.
