User talk:Wronkiew

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[edit] Actually

The word actually in general usage almost always means absolutely nothing. In those cases in which it adds meaning to the sentence, the sentence can usually be reworked to eliminate it, while improving the readability of the sentence.

Actually I think you are too fast in declaring this particular word 'almost always' meaningless. The fact that its meaning is often very subtle does not render it meaningless — I think I showed a very relevant use of it in the first sentence of this paragraph (actually brings in a sort of 'counterexpectational' meaning in this context). Furthermore, the fact that a sentence always can reworked to eliminate it does not amount to an argument for the 'meaninglessness' of actually. I would maintain that every change in (syntactic) structure causes a change in meaning. In other words, I believe in a non-arbitrary relationship between syntax and semantics (in fact I consider syntax to be a part of semantics). That is not to say that actually is not frequently abused by people who do not think enough about language and presentation.

Nice to meet you Wronkiew, and welcome to Wikipedia — I actually spotted you on Tuareg languages catching a typo. Happy editing! ¶ Mark Dingemanse (talk) 23:53, 9 Nov 2004 (UTC)