the same as usual

USAGE SUMMARY

"the same as usual" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an occurrence that is the same as it usually is. For example, I arrived home from work today and my husband was in the kitchen, just as usual.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The result was the same as usual, even if the key players were different.

The New York Times - Sports

If you're wondering why our story time area doesn't look quite the same as usual, wonder no more.

Princeton University

The broad answer is that Madden was about the same as usual for the Steelers-Patriots game.

The New York Times - Sports

She comes and tells him that he is just the same as usual, and that he hasn't changed a bit.

The New Yorker

And while the trappings were the same as usual on Thursday night at Porter House, the mood was more like that of a wake.

The New York Times

But very little about the beach is the same as usual today, for it has obviously taken a pounding over the past few weeks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It is not the same as your usual google account email.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Since we've been here we've had no meetings – it's been the same as a usual England squad".

The Guardian - Sport

The result indicates that the surface displacement induced by a force tangential to the surface is the same as the usual solution for elastic half-spaces where the effect of surface stress is ignored.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

ΔH for ammonia adsorption as an index of the strength was ca. 150 kJ mol−1 that was almost the same as on usual HZSM-5, but the number was smaller than that of HZSM-5.

Catalysis Today

Since the four categories probably have a substantial income overlap, these matrices are not exactly the same as the usual mobility matrix.

Latin American Economic Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the same as usual" to emphasize a lack of change or deviation from the norm in a given situation. It's suitable when you want to highlight the routine or expected nature of events.

Common error

While "the same as usual" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "consistent with prior observations" or "in accordance with standard procedure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the same as usual" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or situation is occurring in a manner consistent with past experiences or established routines. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the same as usual" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations or actions that are consistent with past occurrences or established routines. As indicated by Ludwig, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing. The phrase primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, conveying a sense of predictability and lack of change. While its register is generally neutral, you might want to opt for more precise language in strictly formal communication. Consider alternatives such as "as always" or "business as usual" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as always

This alternative conveys a sense of consistency and expectation, similar to "the same as usual".

like always

This alternative also conveys a sense of consistency and expectation, similar to "the same as usual".

business as usual

This alternative suggests that operations are continuing without significant changes.

same old story

This alternative conveys a sense of familiarity and predictability, similar to "the same as usual".

just as it always is

This alternative emphasizes the unchanging nature of a situation.

no different than before

This alternative directly indicates a lack of change.

as per usual

A more formal alternative implying established routine.

the typical way

This indicates that something is happening in its standard or expected manner.

nothing new

This conveys the idea that there are no surprises or changes.

the standard procedure

This suggests adherence to a pre-defined and unchanging method.

FAQs

What does "the same as usual" mean?

The phrase "the same as usual" means that something is happening in a way that is not new or different from what is expected or has happened before.

How can I use "the same as usual" in a sentence?

You can use "the same as usual" to describe a situation or event that is occurring in a predictable manner. For example, "I woke up and had coffee, "the same as usual"."

What can I say instead of "the same as usual"?

You can use alternatives like "as always", "business as usual", or "the typical way" depending on the context.

Is "the same as always" correct?

Yes, "the same as always" is a valid alternative to "the same as usual", although "the same as usual" is more commonly used. They both convey a sense of consistency and lack of change.