actually usually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually usually" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize that something is true in most cases, despite any assumptions to the contrary. For example: "I actually usually prefer tea over coffee." Alternative expressions include "in fact often" and "really typically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I actually usually don't envision myself losing or winning.

The New Yorker

Up the hill three times, well, twice actually, usually on a Sunday, sometimes three times to Salem Chapel and those little floppy, orange-covered hymn books, Ira Sankey's 1,200 Sacred Songs and Solos and all this.

The Guardian

But, actually, usually when IÕve really pinned him to the wall, itÕs when IÕve woken up that morning and thought of something Ñ that is going to be the thing I nail him on today".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He added: "It was quite exciting actually, usually everyone reads their newspaper and sits there not saying anything but suddenly we had this fantastic thing happening.

BBC

Mr. HOFFMAN: Well, but actually – usually when you're asked these questions, like look if we had thought that, we wouldn't have invested in Gowalla….

TechCrunch

If you pay attention, there's actually usually a big twist in them.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Aghast pearl clutching and "um, actuallys" usually await anyone naïve enough to wander into their digital domains bandying about terms like "racist" or "Nazi".

Vice

When the UPS driver shows up, he's invariably dropping off something I actually want, usually from Amazon, usually two days after I ordered it.

The Economist

[Embarrassed giggle] I have got that actually … Usually I do that when I'm on a warm-up, then when I've finished my warm-up I take my earphones out and then when I get to my technical drills I really start to think about the race itself.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Bartz took a different approach: "I am actually not usually very interested in government intervention in anything," she said.

The New York Times

Phase 2 is a larger trial to figure out if it has therapeutic potential, and Phase 3 is a definitive trial to see if it actually works, usually in comparison with standard treatments.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually usually" to correct a misconception or clarify the typical state of affairs, adding a layer of surprise or contradiction to the statement. For example: "While you might expect delays, the train is "actually usually" on time."

Common error

Avoid using "actually usually" excessively, as it can make your writing sound redundant. Opt for synonyms like "typically" or "frequently" to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually usually" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding nuance to a statement by indicating that something is generally the case, often contrary to expectation. Ludwig's examples show it used to clarify common occurrences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actually usually" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express that something is generally true, often in contrast to what might be expected. While Ludwig AI indicates that it is not very common, it is versatile enough for use in news, science, and general contexts. When using "actually usually", consider whether the combined emphasis is necessary, or if a single adverb like "typically" might suffice for clarity. The phrase aims to bring clarification and can be replaced by alternatives such as "in fact often" or "really typically" depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in fact often

Replaces "actually" and "usually" with synonyms, maintaining the overall meaning of something occurring frequently.

really typically

Emphasizes the typical nature of a situation, using "really" for added emphasis instead of "actually".

genuinely commonly

Highlights the genuine and common occurrence of something, providing a slightly more formal tone.

truly regularly

Indicates something happens with true regularity, offering a slightly stronger sense of consistency.

in reality generally

Focuses on the reality of a general situation, implying a contrast with a perceived expectation.

as a rule typically

Expresses something that happens according to a typical rule or pattern.

more often than not

Highlights that something happens more frequently than not, implying a high probability.

most of the time in fact

Specifies that an event or action occurs in the majority of instances, emphasizing the factual nature.

ordinarily in practice

Describes what happens under normal circumstances, focusing on practical application.

customarily as a matter of course

Highlights an action that is standard procedure or commonly accepted as a normal occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "actually usually" in a sentence?

Use "actually usually" to express that something is generally true, especially when it might be surprising or contrary to expectations. For instance: "The bus is "actually usually" late, but today it's on time."

What are some alternatives to "actually usually"?

You can use alternatives like "typically", "frequently", or "generally" depending on the context to convey a similar meaning without being repetitive.

Is it redundant to use "actually usually" together?

While "actually" and "usually" can both indicate frequency, using them together can emphasize a surprising regularity. However, consider whether one word suffices to avoid redundancy.

How does "actually usually" differ from "always"?

"Actually usually" indicates something happens frequently but not invariably, whereas "always" implies 100% certainty. For example, "The store is "actually usually" open late" suggests it is often open late, but not every single night.