Actually, In fact hay Well?

Would you agree with me that teachers should refrain from socialising with their students? ~ Well, actually I think it’s a good idea for them to socialise – up to a certain point!

b/ Ngoài ra actually và in fact có thể được dùng để cung cấp thêm thông tin chi tiết hoặc làm rõ nghĩa hơn cho điều vừa nói

Example:

I’m going to take on a bit more responsibility now that Kevin’s left ~ John, that’s wonderful news. ~ Yes, well, actually / in fact I’ve been promoted to senior sales manager.

I got so bored listening to what he was saying that I actually fell asleep / in fact I fell asleep half way through his presentation.

c/ Lưu ý:

Có thể dùng in actual fact hoặc as a matter of fact để làm rõ nghĩa hoặc giới thiệu thông tin mới

Example:

I got so bored with what he was saying that in actual fact / as a matter of fact I dozed off before he’d finished speaking.

Actually is sometimes used to introduce unwelcome news:

Richard wants to invite us to spend the weekend at his cottage in the Lake District. Isn’t that exciting? ~ Well, actually, I’ve already said we can’t go.

Khi được đặt ở cuối mệnh đề, actually dùng để xác nhận thông tin mà người ta không mong đợi hoặc không nghĩ tới.

Example:

I don’t suppose you’ve posted my letters, have you? ~ I have, actually.
Did you enjoy that modern opera at Covent Garden? ~ I did, actually. Very much.

2/ well

a/ Well được dùng phổ biến trong những cuộc thảo luận hơn so với in fact và actually. Chủ yếu để dẫn dắt đến điều chúng ta sẽ nói, thỉnh thoảng cũng có thể dùng để cho người nói thêm thời gian suy nghĩ.

Example:

So how much do you want for your 1999 Renault? ~ Well, I was thinking of £2,500.
So how do you propose to furnish the house? ~ Well, I thought we might invest in some second-hand furniture.

b/ Dùng well khi muốn nói đến 1 dự định không được hoàn thành

Example:

You know I said I thought I might go skiing with Jamie this year? Well, I’m not going to now.
How was the tennis lesson? ~ Well, in actual fact, we forgot to go.

c/ Ngoài ra, người ta còn dùng well trong cách nói giảm

Example:

You live in South Kensington, don’t you? Well, Pimlico, actually.
You do like my yellow dress, don’t you? ~ Well, yes, it’s quite nice. But I think the blue one would have suited you more.
Why didn’t you give Bob a lift back home? ~ Well, how was I supposed to know he was at the match?
I couldn’t find my way to the music centre. ~ Well, why didn’t you ask me?

Well can also serve to introduce important information:

You know I’ve been seeing a lot of Eddie lately? ~ Hmm. ~ Well, we’re going to get engaged.

d/ Oh well!

Dùng oh well trong tình huống bạn phải chấp nhận dù không hài lòng lắm

If you say oh well, you are saying that you accept the situation as it is, even though you are not very happy about it:

Example:

I’m afraid you’ll have to pull out of the trip to Greece. ~ Oh well, it doesn’t matter.

I’m afraid I forget to save that document and now I’ve lost it. ~ Oh well, it can’t be helped. I’ll just have to re-type it.