The difference between Actual and Past
When used as nouns, actual means something actually received, whereas past means the period of time that has already happened, in contrast to the present and the future.
When used as adjectives, actual means relating to a person's acts or deeds, whereas past means having already happened.
Past is also preposition with the meaning: beyond in place, quantity or time.
Past is also adverb with the meaning: in a direction that passes.
check bellow for the other definitions of Actual and Past
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Actual as an adjective (chiefly, theology):
Relating to a person's acts or deeds; active, practical.
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Actual as an adjective:
Existing in reality, not just potentially; really acted or acting; occurring in fact.
Examples:
"the actual cost of goods; the actual case under discussion"
"The actual government expenses dramatically exceed the budget."
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Actual as an adjective (now, rare):
In action at the time being; now existing; current.
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Actual as an adjective:
Used as intensifier to emphasise a following noun; exact, very.
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Actual as a noun (finance):
An actual, real one; notably: Something actually received; real receipts, as distinct from estimated ones. A radio callsign modifier that specifies the commanding officer of the unit or asset denoted by the remainder of the callsign and not the officer's assistant or other designee.
Examples:
"Bravo Six Actual, this is Charlie One. Come in, over.'' (The radio operator is requesting to speak to the commander of the unit under the call sign "Bravo Six.")"
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Past as a noun:
The period of time that has already happened, in contrast to the present and the future.
Examples:
"a book about a time machine that can transport people back into the past"
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Past as a noun (grammar):
The past tense.
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Past as an adjective:
Having already happened; in the past; finished.
Examples:
"'past glories"
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Past as an adjective (postmodifier):
Following expressions of time to indicate how long ago something happened; ago.
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Past as an adjective:
Of a period of time: having just gone by; previous.
Examples:
"during the past year"
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Past as an adjective (grammar):
Of a tense, expressing action that has already happened or a previously-existing state.
Examples:
"'past tense"
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Past as an adverb:
in a direction that passes
Examples:
"synonyms by"
"I watched him walk past"
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Past as an adverb:
Passing by, especially without stopping or being delayed.
Examples:
"Ignore them, we'll play past them."
"Please don't drive past the fruit stand, I want to stop there."
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Past as a preposition:
Beyond in place, quantity or time.
Examples:
"the room past mine"
"count past twenty"
"past midnight"
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Past as a preposition:
No longer capable of.
Examples:
"I'm past caring what he thinks of me."
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Past as a preposition:
Having recovered or moved on from (a traumatic experience, etc.).