in the usual course of events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the usual course of events" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe what typically happens under normal circumstances or conditions. Example: "In the usual course of events, we would expect the project to be completed by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But eventually, a more mundane explanation revealed itself: In the usual course of events, people did not examine their windshields that closely.

The New York Times - Science

In the usual course of events an intervention is implemented and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are conducted in order to evaluate the success or otherwise of the intervention.

BMC Oral Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Instead, the usual course of events in civil society is for reason and sympathy to be displaced while humans' enhanced capacity for reasoning is put at the service, not of morality, but of the impulse to dominate, oppress and exploit.

SEP

For Cicero, probability represents the usual course of events, commonly held beliefs, or what resembles them.

SEP

This could be thought of as the usual course of events at the start.

BMC Medical Education

Significant improvements in cognitive function (p = .008), mood (p = .001), and depression (p = .028) were observed in the treatment group which is not the usual course of AD.

Geriatric Nursing

Few data are available evaluating the usual course of markers of mineral status in this population.

BMC Pediatrics

Such elections upset the usual course of dynastic succession.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was all in the natural course of events".

The New York Times

How did the ideas change in the course of events?

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Burton veers between his usual course of portent and mockery, which can be glimpsed in the opening credits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the usual course of events" when you want to describe a sequence or outcome that is generally expected or typical. It's useful for setting expectations or explaining standard operating procedures.

Common error

Avoid using "in the usual course of events" in very casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "usually" or "typically" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the usual course of events" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying the circumstances under which something typically occurs. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and used to describe standard processes or anticipated outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the usual course of events" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe what typically happens under normal circumstances. Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates its usage in Science, News & Media and Encyclopedias, with a tendency towards a neutral to formal register. While not extremely common, it serves to establish expectations or describe typical scenarios. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "typically" or "ordinarily" for informal contexts. Ludwig confirms this phrase's validity and provides real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under normal circumstances

This phrase maintains a similar level of detail and formality to the original, differing primarily in word choice.

as a matter of course

This phrase implies a routine or automatic action, rather than simply what is typical.

in most cases

This is an alternative phrase establishing a usual circumstance that happens in most cases.

as is customary

This option emphasizes adherence to tradition or established practice, adding a layer of formality.

typically

This is a single-word adverb conveying the most common aspect of the original phrase, sacrificing detail for brevity.

ordinarily

This is a single-word adverb with slightly more formality, but similar in meaning.

normally

Another single-word adverb synonymous in most contexts.

in general practice

This alternative is more specific to procedural contexts and less on general descriptive situations.

by and large

This phrase implies an exception to the general rule. It still retains the meaning of the QUERY by establishing a general rule.

more often than not

This alternative phrase establishes an expectation, while retaining the possibility of a less frequent outcome.

FAQs

What does "in the usual course of events" mean?

The phrase "in the usual course of events" refers to what generally happens under normal or expected circumstances. It describes typical outcomes or procedures.

How can I use "in the usual course of events" in a sentence?

You can use "in the usual course of events" to set expectations or explain procedures. For example, "In the usual course of events, the package will arrive within 3-5 business days."

What are some alternatives to "in the usual course of events"?

Some alternatives to "in the usual course of events" include "typically", "ordinarily", "normally", or "under normal circumstances".

Is "in the usual course of events" formal or informal?

"In the usual course of events" is generally considered a somewhat formal phrase. Simpler alternatives are often preferred in casual contexts.