as was usual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as was usual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done in a manner that is typical or customary. Example: "As was usual, she arrived at the meeting early to prepare her notes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

As was usual for American scientists at the time, he finished his education in Europe, studying under the famous paleontologist Karl von Zittel in Munich.

University of California, Berkeley

As was usual at the time of construction, the complex included a shopping parade, restaurant, theatre, pub, petrol station and rooftop swimming pool.

The Guardian

As was usual with the death of gods in the ancient Mediterranean world, Baal's end brings about a drought that ceases only with his resurrection.

Britannica

Three or four strings might travel abreast, as was usual with nomad drivers, or the whole caravan might travel in one long line, as in some Chinese caravans.

Britannica

He trained with a small club called Leiknir but, as was usual for his generation in Iceland, there was no focus on teaching a goalkeeper what to do.

The Guardian - Sport

Melville also ensured the use of prerecorded classical music (Bach and Vivaldi) to accompany the images, rather than, as was usual at the time, a specially composed score.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

As is usual now, every channel showed the same pictures.

The Guardian

The plots are, as is usual with Chandler, beyond feeble.

The Guardian - Opinion

Battery life is good as is usual with Huawei device.

Forbes

As is usual, Rawls's discussion is subtle and enlightening.

SEP

As is usual with settlements, the company maintained its innocence.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as was usual" to provide context and help readers understand the established practices or norms at the time of the event you're describing. This adds depth and clarity to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "as was usual" without clearly establishing the relevant time period. If the reader doesn't know when the 'usual' practice was in effect, the phrase loses its meaning and can confuse the narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as was usual" functions as an adverbial phrase, providing context about how something typically occurred. It modifies a clause by indicating that an action or situation was consistent with established practices. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is generally considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

26%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as was usual" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something occurred in a customary or typical manner. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and provides context to events by connecting them to established practices. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles, and it appears most frequently in news media, encyclopedias, and academic contexts. Using this phrase effectively requires establishing a clear temporal context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "as was customary" or "as was typical" can provide similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as was customary

Replaces "usual" with "customary", emphasizing adherence to established practices.

as was typical

Substitutes "usual" with "typical", highlighting the representative nature of the action or event.

as was the norm

Uses "norm" instead of "usual", focusing on the standard or expected behavior.

in accordance with custom

Emphasizes alignment with established customs and traditions.

in keeping with tradition

Highlights the alignment of the action with traditional practices.

as things go

Replaces with the more casual and idiomatic phrase "as things go"

as expected

Conveys that the event or action happened in a predictable manner.

ordinarily

Uses an adverb to indicate the regular or normal occurrence of something.

typically

Uses an adverb to indicate a common or representative occurrence.

in general practice

Focuses on the action being a widely accepted or followed practice.

FAQs

How can I use "as was usual" in a sentence?

Use "as was usual" to describe a practice or custom that was common in a particular time or context. For example, "As was usual for American scientists at the time, he finished his education in Europe."

What phrases are similar to "as was usual"?

Similar phrases include "as was customary", "as was typical", or "as was the norm".

When is it appropriate to use "as was usual" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that a certain action, event, or situation was common or expected within a specific context. This helps readers understand the norms and practices of that time or place.

Is "as was usual" formal or informal language?

The phrase "as was usual" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It can be used in a variety of writing contexts, from academic to journalistic, without sounding out of place.