In reality means actually, in real life: the room looks spacious online, but in reality it barely fits a bed. It sets an impression, a promise or a plan against the facts: they called it temporary; in reality, it lasted three years. In conversation, actually often does the same job.
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In reality, + actual situation / but + subject + verb + in reality
- The room looks spacious online, but in reality it barely fits a double bed.
- In reality, only two of the ten volunteers had used the machine before.
- They called it a temporary arrangement; in reality, it lasted three years.
What changed
First versionThe ticket looked cheap, but in the reality it cost twice as much after fees.
RevisionThe ticket looked cheap, but in reality it cost twice as much after fees.
Reality is an abstract noun, and the habit of putting an article before nouns gives in the reality. The fixed phrase has no article: in reality. The reality appears in other phrases: the reality is that..., face reality.
In theory is how things should be; in reality is how they are. Actually also brings in a fact, but softer and more casual: Actually, it was cheaper. In reality stresses the gap: the impression was one thing, the reality another.
Your turn
Choose the expression that introduces the actual situation: The advert promised silence. ___, we could hear every train.
Show the answer
In reality — To mean actually, use in reality with no article. What follows is what really happened, despite the advert.
Compare your first impression of a place with what you saw when you got there. Use in reality.
The café looks tiny from the street, but in reality it has a large courtyard at the back.
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