but usually on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but usually on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a common occurrence or pattern that typically happens at a certain time or under specific conditions. Example: "I prefer to work in the mornings, but usually on weekends, I take a break and relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They lay one or two eggs, not in nests but usually on the ground or on rooftops.

Britannica

I sometimes walk with a friend, but usually on Sundays I walk by myself.

The New York Times

Earlier festivals featured orchestras, but usually on a separate night with additional admission charges.

The New York Times

The first, second or third tries may be fruitless, but usually on the fourth attempt the snail-eater will win.

The New York Times

Another common treatment is scleral buckling, done in a hospital under anesthesia but usually on an outpatient basis.

The New York Times - Health

In today's comic romances, ladies still get the laughs, but usually on account of that hilariously dozy/self-deluding/imbecilic thing they've just done.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It hadn't occurred to me that Mayer was "one of the best guitar players who ever lived" before reading the Jobs encomium that accompanied his criticism, but after following Dead & Company's summer tour, well, the frequently irascible but usually on-target Apple genius may just be right after all.

Huffington Post

I had signed up for sessions led by Scott Gallagher, a Bluto to my Wimpy, a muscled, head-shaven, goateed 31-year-old man who, I would learn, is a Jew raised a Quaker, a former police officer and bodyguard, a mail-order minister of the peace and an off-but-usually-on stand-up comedian.

The New York Times

Phone service was off and on, but usually off.

Vice

Ae. albopictus will readily feed on humans, but usually only on a single person, and it also feeds on other animals, which decreases the probability of human contact (19, 20 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

CXCR4 is expressed on many T cells, but usually not on macrophages and does not allow fusion by macrophage-tropic (M-tropic) HIV isolates (Feng et al., 1996).

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but usually on", ensure the contrasting element is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. This clarifies the exception to the typical pattern.

Common error

Avoid using "but usually on" if there isn't a genuine contrast or exception. Overusing it can weaken your writing and make it seem repetitive. Ensure that the "but" introduces a meaningful divergence from the norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but usually on" functions as a conjunctive phrase to introduce a contrast or exception to a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is considered correct and is usable in written English. It modifies the preceding clause by specifying circumstances under which a different action or state is more likely.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but usually on" serves as a useful conjunctive element to introduce exceptions or specify conditions under which a different action or state is more common. As per Ludwig AI's assessment, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, although most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific sources. To enhance clarity, ensure the contrasting element is well-defined. Alternatives like "however typically on" or "yet commonly on" can be employed for variety. While it's a valid construction, overuse without a clear contrast should be avoided to maintain writing strength and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however typically on

Replaces "usually" with "typically", maintaining the sense of a common occurrence with a contrast.

yet commonly on

Substitutes "usually" with "commonly", emphasizing the frequency of the event.

though generally on

Uses "generally" instead of "usually", indicating a broad pattern with exceptions.

although habitually on

Replaces "usually" with "habitually", suggesting a customary or routine action.

but predominantly on

Uses "predominantly" to highlight the main condition with a contrast.

except mainly on

Emphasizes the exception with "except" and replaces "usually" with "mainly".

still frequently on

Replaces "usually" with "frequently", highlighting the regularity despite a contrast.

whereas often on

Uses "whereas" to introduce a contrast and replaces "usually" with "often".

conversely typically on

Introduces a contrasting situation using "conversely" and replaces "usually" with "typically".

instead regularly on

Indicates a replacement or alternative occurrence using "instead" and replaces "usually" with "regularly".

FAQs

How can I use "but usually on" in a sentence?

Use "but usually on" to introduce a common occurrence that happens under specific conditions, often contrasting with a previous statement. Example: "I prefer tea, but usually on cold days, I drink coffee."

What's a good alternative to "but usually on"?

Alternatives include "however typically on", "yet commonly on", or "though generally on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but usually on"?

Yes, "but usually on" is grammatically correct. It is used to introduce an exception or a common condition that applies in certain situations.

How does "but usually on" differ from "but always on"?

"But usually on" indicates a common occurrence, while "but always on" suggests something that happens without exception. The choice depends on whether the condition is a general trend or a constant state.