are not usually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'are not usually' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is atypical or uncommon. For example, "Cats are not usually allowed in the library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inclusivists are not usually universalists.

Yale University

Prayers are not usually interrupted by applause.

The New York Times

They are not usually called agents, though.

The New York Times

SMEs are not usually amongst these.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Wild celebrations are not usually his thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Jeremiah's weekends are not usually so serene.

The New York Times

(I assume d.j.s are not usually abused).

The New Yorker

Vectors copied to themselves are not usually what is expected.

Yale University

Sobriety checkpoints are not usually randomly located by traffic authorities.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

First, leadership members are not usually on whip lists.

The New York Times

Federal appeals are not usually a volume business.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not usually" to express that something is uncommon but not necessarily impossible. For stronger negation, consider alternatives like "are never" or "are not.".

Common error

Avoid using "are not usually" when a simpler negative statement suffices. Instead of saying "These meetings are not usually productive", consider "These meetings are unproductive" for a more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not usually" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which a statement is generally true. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express that something is atypical or uncommon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not usually" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate that something is atypical or uncommon. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase serves as an adverbial modifier, qualifying statements and expressing likelihood rather than certainty. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communications. When aiming for clarity and precision, consider using "are not usually" to convey expected behaviors or typical conditions, keeping in mind the alternative expressions available for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are typically not

Emphasizes the typical absence of something, rather than the usual.

are generally not

Focuses on the general absence of something, suggesting a broad trend.

do not typically

Highlights the absence of a typical action or characteristic.

are not commonly

Stresses the infrequency of something.

are rarely

Indicates a low frequency of occurrence.

are infrequently

Suggests something happens seldom or at long intervals.

are exceptionally not

Emphasizes that something is an exception to the rule

deviate from the norm

Highlights a deviation from what is considered normal or standard.

are uncharacteristic

Indicates something does not align with the usual characteristics.

are outside the norm

Emphasizes that something exists outside the typical range or pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "are not usually" in a sentence?

Use "are not usually" to indicate that something is uncommon or atypical. For example, "Bears are not usually seen in this area" or "Meetings are not usually this long".

What are some alternatives to "are not usually"?

You can use alternatives such as "are typically not", "are generally not", or "are rarely" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "are not usually" or "usually are not"?

"Are not usually" is the more common and grammatically standard construction. "Usually are not" is less frequent and can sound awkward in many contexts.

What's the difference between "are not usually" and "are not necessarily"?

"Are not usually" implies something is uncommon, while "are not necessarily" suggests something is not always the case, but can sometimes be true. For example, "Expensive products are not usually better" versus "Expensive products are not necessarily better".