not usually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not usually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not happen often or is not the norm. Example: "I don't usually eat breakfast, but today I made an exception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not usually.

The New York Times

Not usually NPR.

The New York Times

It's not usually preconceived.

Independent

But not usually.

The New York Times

At least, not usually.

The New York Times

They're not usually so efficient".

The New Yorker

Treatment is not usually required.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not usually, anyhow.

The Guardian - Sport

Not usually dinners.

The Guardian - Money

Again, not usually.

The Guardian

But not usually successful business.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not usually" to soften a statement, indicating that something is atypical but possible. For example, "I don't usually eat dessert, but this cake looks delicious."

Common error

In formal or academic writing, consider using more precise adverbs like "rarely" or "infrequently" instead of "not usually" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not usually" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which an action, event, or state is typical or frequent. Ludwig shows its use in modifying verbs and clauses to express that something is uncommon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not usually" functions as an adverbial phrase to indicate that something is atypical or infrequent. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. As demonstrated by numerous examples, this phrase is appropriate for many situations but, in more formal contexts, it may be better to select an alternative. Key to proper usage is understanding that the phrase is most effective when establishing expectations, softening statements, or highlighting exceptions to a general rule.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not often

A more direct and slightly less formal way of saying "not usually".

typically not

Reverses the word order for a slightly different emphasis.

generally not

Similar to typically not, but slightly broader in scope.

rarely

Implies a lower occurrence rate than "not usually".

seldom

Similar to rarely, suggesting an infrequent occurrence.

infrequently

Single word replacement offering a more formal tone.

uncommonly

Highlights the unusual nature of an event.

as a rule, not

Introduces the idea of an exception to a general principle.

occasionally

Suggests something happens from time to time but isn't typical.

more often than not, not

Suggests that something is more unlikely than likely.

FAQs

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

Use "not usually" to indicate that something does not happen often or is not the norm. For example, "I "don't usually" drink coffee in the afternoon."

What's a more formal alternative to "not usually"?

For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "rarely" or "infrequently", which convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say "usually not" instead of "not usually"?

While "usually not" is grammatically correct, "not usually" is more common and generally preferred. "Usually not" can sometimes sound awkward or less natural in certain contexts, but is acceptable. Context is important.

What's the difference between "not usually" and "not always"?

"Not usually" implies that something is atypical or infrequent, while "not always" indicates that something is not consistent or guaranteed. "I don't usually eat breakfast" means I rarely do, whereas "I don't always eat breakfast" means I sometimes skip it.