Do Bases and Acids actually react with each other?
$$\ce{NaOH + HCl -&gt; NaCl + H2O}$$

$$\ce{Na+ + Cl- + OH- + H+ -&gt; Na+ + Cl- + H2O_{(l)}}$$
Both sides $\ce{Na+}$ ans $\ce{Cl-}$ cancel out remaining reaction

$$\ce{H+ + OH- &lt;=&gt; H2O_{(l)}}$$

Any strong acid and strong base reaction the remaining reaction is hydrolization of water.