rather than usual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather than usual" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to compare something that is different from what is typically expected or customary. Example: "I prefer to have tea in the morning rather than usual coffee."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We present a two dimensional planar extrinsic chirality metamaterial (2D-ECM) design that has strong circular dichroism (CD) in the visible spectrum range rather than usual near-infrared and terahertz range.

Optics Communications

One advantage of listening from one of the upper galleries – originally, but no longer, reserved for women – was being able to see inside the piano lid, where the instrument's parallel, rather than usual diagonal, strings were clearly visible.

The Guardian - Music

Rather than usual file-sharing, Send Anywhere takes a security conscious route by offering a 10-minute download time.

TechCrunch

Above Aqua Shard is Hutong, a Chinese restaurant focused on cuisine from the north, namely the Shandong Province, rather than usual Cantonese style found in London.

BBC

This is an important study, since it explores the patients' viewpoint rather than usual clinical trial primary and secondary end point such as reduction in headache days or efficacy of acute medication at 2 h.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

As an example, at the Ryerson University Student Learning Center in Toronto, interior floors are themed and named after a different landscape, like the Beach and Garden, rather than usual numbered floors.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

This year, however, filling the tank may empty the wallet rather faster than usual.

The Economist

In 1999 they cut the flora back rather earlier than usual there was outcry from the community.

BBC

He also made 146 catches, many of them at first slip, where he stood "rather deeper than usual".

Wikipedia

Rather than the usual intermittent series of chirps -- peep..

The New York Times - Science

style, rather than the usual symphony of maps and fire.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to indicate a deviation from the norm, consider restructuring your sentence to use "instead of the usual" or "rather than the typical" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "rather than usual" directly; it often leads to awkward phrasing. Instead, clarify your comparison by specifying what you are contrasting with the norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather than usual" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a comparison or substitution. It suggests that something is happening or being done in a way that deviates from the typical or expected norm. As Ludwig indicates, it's often better to use alternatives for clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "rather than usual" appears in various contexts, Ludwig flags that it isn't grammatically correct in standard written English. Its intended purpose is to indicate a departure from the norm, as evidenced by the examples provided. While the phrase appears in sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, alternatives like "instead of the usual" or "rather than the typical" are recommended for greater clarity and grammatical accuracy. When writing, aim to clarify your comparisons for better communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instead of usual

This alternative is a more concise and grammatically sound way to express substitution of the typical.

as opposed to usual

This alternative is appropriate in formal contexts, highlighting a direct contrast.

in place of usual

This alternative emphasizes the act of replacing the standard or customary.

differently from usual

This alternative highlights the deviation from the normal or expected.

unlike the usual

This alternative stresses the atypical nature of the action or item.

contrary to usual

This alternative denotes a direct opposition to what is common or expected.

distinct from usual

This alternative emphasizes the separate and different nature from what is typical.

deviating from usual

This alternative focuses on the act of straying away from the common practice.

a departure from usual

This alternative suggests a formal shift or variance from the norm.

in contrast to usual

This alternative emphasizes a noticeable difference when compared to the norm.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "rather than usual"?

You can use alternatives like "instead of the usual" or "rather than the typical" to express a preference or substitution more clearly.

How can I use "instead of usual" in a sentence?

For example, instead of saying "I took the train rather than usual driving", you could say "I took the train instead of the usual drive" or “I took the train "instead of driving"”.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "instead of usual" and "rather than typical"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "instead of usual" generally refers to a change in habit or routine, whereas "rather than typical" is used to contrast something with a general characteristic or expectation.

When is it appropriate to use "as opposed to the usual"?

Use "as opposed to the usual" in formal contexts when you want to emphasize a direct contrast or deviation from what is commonly practiced or expected.