The adverb "actually"

[James M]

A grammar book says that there is a difference between (a) I actually was there and (b) I was actually there.

Would you explain the difference to me?

Thank you.

[Alan]

Hi,

With 'actually' suggesting 'in fact', the word order would be: Actually I was there or I was actually there, You would not say:

[Dozy]

I actually (heh-heh) find "I actually was there" acceptable, but I guess it is the least usual of the positions for "actually". I do not know what difference the grammar book had in mind. Does it not say?

[James M]

Thank you, Alan and Dozy, for your answers. The author assumes that the reader can tell the perceived difference.

[Alan]

To me 'I actually was there' is a very unbalanced sentence.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
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[James M]

Thank you, Alan.