it was usually

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was usually" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a state of affairs that recurred or happened consistently in the past. For example, "John usually arrived late, so it was usually left to me to open the shop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was usually stripped of its vanes and the quill alone used.

Britannica

Indeed, it was usually so.

The Economist

It was usually my sister.

The New York Times

It was usually chopped.

The New York Times

But it was usually one-sided.

The New York Times - Sports

In medieval architecture it was usually ornamented.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was usually a little too sweet".

The New York Times

It was usually a ten-minute walk.

The New Yorker

"It was usually more about inserting".

The New Yorker

When Bannon traveled, it was usually aboard a private plane.

The Washington Post

It was usually Berbatov who had them flailing.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was usually", ensure the context is clear and the reader understands what 'it' refers to. For example, "The meeting was scheduled for 2 PM, but it was usually delayed by 30 minutes."

Common error

Avoid using "it was usually" when you mean "it was always". "Usually" indicates a high probability, not a certainty. For example, instead of "The door was usually locked" (if it was always locked), use "The door was always locked."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was usually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the typical or frequent occurrence of an action or state in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

13%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was usually" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a common occurrence in the past. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. Analysis of real-world examples reveals its prevalence in contexts like News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Academia. To enhance your writing, ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to and avoid using "usually" when "always" is more accurate. Consider using alternatives such as "it was typically" or "it was generally" to add nuance. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "it was usually" in your writing to convey frequency and typicality with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it typically was

Replaces "usually" with "typically", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly different emphasis on the regularity.

it generally was

Substitutes "usually" with "generally", suggesting a broad pattern rather than a strict rule.

it commonly was

Replaces "usually" with "commonly", highlighting the frequency of the event or situation.

it normally was

Replaces "usually" with "normally", suggesting that the situation was in accordance with what is expected.

it often was

Uses "often" instead of "usually", emphasizing the high frequency of the occurrence.

it would generally be

Adds a conditional aspect, suggesting a tendency or inclination.

it tended to be

Uses "tended to be" instead of "was usually", indicating a inclination towards a particular state or action.

it was, as a rule

Introduces the phrase "as a rule", emphasizing that the statement is a general principle.

more often than not, it was

Adds a level of uncertainty to how often something happen, maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly different emphasis on the regularity.

the norm was

This alternative replaces the entire phrase with a noun-based structure emphasizing the usual state.

FAQs

How can I use "it was usually" in a sentence?

Use "it was usually" to describe a past action or situation that occurred frequently but not always. For example, "After school, "it was usually" straight home to do homework."

What are some alternatives to "it was usually"?

You can use phrases like "it was typically", "it was generally", or "it was often" as alternatives to "it was usually", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it is usually" instead of "it was usually"?

Yes, but the tense changes the meaning. "It is usually" describes a current or habitual action, while ""it was usually"" refers to past actions or situations.

What's the difference between "it was usually" and "it was always"?

"It was usually" implies a high frequency but not a certainty. "It was always" means something happened without exception. For example, ""it was usually" sunny" suggests it was often sunny, but not every time. "It was always sunny" means it never rained.