Time to Lighten Up

Today I want to talk about grammar or the lack thereof.  Friends will tell you my latest pet peeve is the overuse of the word "actually".

As defined by Dictionary.com, “actually”, (adverb) means:

1. in fact

used to emphasize that something really is so or really exists, e.g. when it may be hard to believe or when it contrasts with what has already been said.

He's actually over 35, although he looks much younger.

2. used to express an opinion, often a contradictory one, or to change the subject

Actually, I'd prefer it if you left right now.

He's in India - he's always wanted to go there, actually.

Pretty clear definitions, huh? So why is it used so much? If you don’t believe me, watch a day of HGTV or Food Network. Bobby Flay is the BIGGEST abuser. I’d swear he says “actually” about 20 times per show.

Imagine you’re considering walking into a house you’re thinking about buying. As you enter, do you turn to your friend and say, “Let’s go in”, or “Actually, let’s go in”? I could understand use of the latter if your friend prefaced your remark with “Do you want to go in or stay out here”…but to say “actually” without any provocation???? I’m at a loss.

But maybe people just don’t understand what an adverb is because if they did, surely they’d use “actually” correctly.

Per Dictionary.com, “Adverbs typically express some relation of place, time, manner, attendant circumstance, degree, cause, inference, result, condition, exception, concession, purpose, or means”.

It seems as if “actually” has become the new “you know”. We need Schoolhouse Rock back…remember Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here!

Amen!