(1) actual, actually, real, really, in fact在用于纠正错误或介绍出乎意料的情况时意思相近。actual, real是形容词;actually, really为副词。
- The book says he was 87 when he died, but his actual age (but in fact his age) was 85.
该书说他死时是87岁,但他的实际年龄是85岁。 - He looks honest, but actually he's a rogue.
他看上去很诚实,实际上是个坏蛋。 - A: Hello, John, nice to see you again.
嗨!约翰,再次见到你非常高兴。
B: Actually , my name's Andy.
实际上我的名字是安迪。
(2) in (actual) fact, in point of fact, as a matter of fact的意思均为“实际上,事实上”。
- Officially he is in charge but in (actual) fact his secretary does all the work.
官方说是他在负责,但实际上是他的秘书在做全部工作。 - He doesn't mind, in point of fact he's very pleased.
他并不介意,事实上还非常高兴。
(3) in effect意为“实际上,事实上”,还可以表示“(法律上)生效”。
- The new system of taxation will remain in effect until next May.
新税制在明年五月前将一直有效。
(4) for (all) practical purposes意为“实际上,事实上”,与in effect, in (actual) fact意思相同。
- Only 15 years ago, IBM was for all practical purposes the computer industry.
仅在15年前,IBM公司实际上就是计算机产业。
(5) in actuality意为“事实上,实际上”,可与in effect, in (point of) fact, actually等换用,用于纠正误解。
- He looks poor, but in actuality he has plenty of money.
他看上去很穷,但实际上很有钱。
(6) in reality意为“实际上,其实”,也可以用于纠正误解。
- In reality , he helped them; he was not trying to make life difficult for them at all!
其实,他帮助了他们,他根本不是跟他们过不去! - We thought he was serious, but in reality he was joking.
我们以为他是当真的,但实际上他是在开玩笑。
(7) in (all) truth意思是“说老实话”,是较正式的说法,与to tell the truth同义。
- In truth , I must admit I don't like them very much.
说实话,我必须承认,我不太喜欢他们。
(8) virtual意思是“实际上的”,virtually为副词,意思是“实际上,几乎,基本上”。
- His sending her a dozen roses was a virtual declaration of love.
他送给她的一打玫瑰其实是他爱情的宣言。 - The president was sick and the premier became the virtual leader of the country.
总统生病了,总理成了这个国家实际上的领导人。 - With the boss out sick, the bookkeeper is virtually in charge.
老板生病不在时,实际上是这位记账员在负责。
