factually

Factually is an English adverb meaning in a way that relates to facts or is based on fact. It is used to indicate that a statement is true, verifiable, or supported by evidence, often to contrast with opinion or speculation. In formal writing and media, factually oriented language is valued for precision, though overuse can make prose sound claim-driven or pedantic.

Etymology: The adjective factual derives from the Latin factus via Old French factuel, with the adverb form factually created by adding the -ly suffix. The word has been in regular use since the early modern period and is part of a family of terms that mark evidentiary standing, such as fact, facts, and factual.

Usage notes: Factually is common in journalism, academic writing, and legal contexts when authors want to signal a factual basis for a claim. It can modify verbs, adjectives, or whole clauses ("Factually, the data show a significant trend."; "The witness statement was not factually corroborated by independent sources.") It can be redundant with "in fact" or "based on facts" in some cases, so writers should choose precisely.

See also: factual, fact, fact-checking.