# using the word 'actually' **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 22, 2013, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-actually/669439 "2013-09-22T12:37:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-actually/669439/1 "2013-09-22T12:37:56Z")
Hi I’m looking for the right word to describe the tone of …“actually”…as when used in a conversation as in the following example: After reading a disappointing succession of mediocre books to learn German, he finally discovered one that made it easy to learn it. He said: "Finally! I can ‘actually’ learn the damned language now! What word best describes the tone he’s using with 'actually"? I don’t think any of the following fit the bill: facetious, sardonic,ironic,mocking. Any suggestions? I look forward to your feedback davidmich ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-actually/669439/2 "2013-09-22T13:16:57Z")
Caustic? Disparaging? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-actually/669439/3 "2013-09-22T13:25:17Z")
Truly ? ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-actually/669439/4 "2013-09-22T13:31:35Z")
Didn’t just attempt to learn . Didn’t just take one class or a few classes. Didn’t just learn to poor level. Did learn properly enough to say its a fact in the real world. ---
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-actually/669439/5 "2013-09-22T14:27:57Z")
It’s almost a feeling of triumph, but a bitter-sweet triumph at having discovered the right book to learn German after reading so many previous duds. I’m almost clenching my teeth and raising my palms/clenching my fists/grimacing and slightly nodding my head forward while I’m saying it: “Finally! I can ‘actually’ learn the damned language now!” I don’t know how else to describe it. davidmich ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-actually/669439/6 "2013-09-22T14:31:04Z")
I think triumphantly bittersweet describes it very well. An element of resigned relief of never having to search again, too. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-actually/669439/7 "2013-09-22T14:37:01Z")
I actually found that I used the word way too much. Its funny when you hear your two year old say it. She was actually very advanced in her vocabulary and speech.