a usual case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a usual case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation or instance that is typical or common in a particular context. Example: "In a usual case, we would expect the results to align with our initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A usual case has been defined as a common case such as non-specific low back pain where there are multiple possible treatment interventions, and where the best intervention needs to be identified.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Davenport even reveled in an usual case of butterflies when she stepped onto Court 1 against Martina Sucha.

The New York Times - Sports

Here we report an usual case of coexisting Graves' disease with functioning struma ovarii and the TSHR staining result, including the TSHR staining of the patient with non-functioning struma ovarii.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

In a usual case-cohort study the subcohort may contain some cases by chance.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

If countries implement their least ambitious pledges and allow lots of loopholes and lenient rules, this will make no real difference: emissions would be only 1 GtCO2e less than business as usual (case A).

The Economist

This is a worse than usual case of the condescension of posterity.

The Guardian

In the scenario of ambitious promotion of pedelecs, interventions solely fostering the purchase of pedelecs significantly increase the modal share of pedelecs, whereas in a business as usual case such efforts remain ineffective.

Transportation Research Procedia

They analyzed each region under two climate scenarios: a "business as usual" case, in which the world is projected to warm by 4 degrees Celsius by 2100, and a policy-driven case, in which global environmental policies that regulate greenhouse gases should keep the temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Air emissions (SOx, NOx, PM10 and CO2e) results assuming that the exported coal is burned for electricity generation in South Korea are compared to those of a business as usual case in which Oregon and Washington's coal plants, Boardman and Centralia, are retrofitted to comply with EPA emissions standards and continue their coal consumption.

Duke University

After they tidied themselves up and called the authorities, locals were quick to speculate as to how such a cruel and usual case of animal abuse could've happened in and around one of their canals.

Vice

"That's why I'm here in Cannes, to remind people that if you forget God you run into a heap of trouble, dude". Robertson wasn't just here to preach, though — he was here to sell a movie, offering his usual case for guns and God in a very different environment.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a usual case", ensure the context clearly establishes what constitutes the 'usual' scenario to avoid ambiguity. Providing specific details or examples can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a usual case" without establishing a baseline understanding of what's considered 'usual'. Readers might interpret 'usual' differently if the context is not well-defined, leading to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a usual case" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjective modifying the noun "case". As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it defines a situation that's typical. It's used to frame expectations or provide context, as seen in the example from BMC Medical Education.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a usual case" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a typical or common situation. As Ludwig AI points out, it effectively sets a frame of reference for discussions or comparisons. Its usage spans various contexts, including science, news, and academia, maintaining a neutral register. While versatile, it's crucial to define the 'usual' scenario to prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives include "a typical scenario" or "a common occurrence", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical scenario

Replaces 'usual' with 'typical', emphasizing the representative nature of the situation.

a common occurrence

Substitutes 'case' with 'occurrence', focusing on the event's frequency.

a standard instance

Uses 'standard' instead of 'usual' and 'instance' instead of 'case', highlighting conformity to a norm.

a routine situation

Emphasizes the lack of uniqueness or deviation from expected procedures.

a regular example

Highlights the recurring nature and exemplification of a specific pattern.

a prevalent circumstance

Replaces 'usual' with 'prevalent', focusing on the widespread existence of the situation.

a frequent event

Substitutes 'case' with 'event', highlighting the high frequency of its happening.

a customary practice

Replaces 'case' with 'practice', implying an established and accepted way of doing something.

a normal state of affairs

Highlights the situation as being within the bounds of what is expected or considered ordinary.

a general pattern

Focuses on the widespread or overall trend of events.

FAQs

How can I use "a usual case" in a sentence?

You can use "a usual case" to describe a typical or common situation. For example, "In "a usual case", the procedure takes about an hour."

What's the difference between "a usual case" and "a typical case"?

While both phrases describe common scenarios, "a usual case" emphasizes frequency and established patterns, whereas "a typical case" highlights representativeness or serving as a good example.

What can I say instead of "a usual case"?

You can use alternatives like "a common occurrence", "a standard instance", or "a routine situation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "in a usual case" or "in the usual case"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "in the usual case" implies a more specific or defined scenario, while "in a usual case" is more general and less specific.