then usual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then usual" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "than usual"? You can use "than usual" when making a comparison to indicate that something is different from what is typically expected. Example: "I felt more tired than usual after the long meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Then, usual electrochemical techniques were applied for studying the early stages of pit initiation and propagation.

Electrochimica Acta

The start of the political season here has been slower and more tentative then usual.

The New York Times

He entered Edinburgh University when he was about 12 years old and left it at 14 or 15, as was then usual.

Britannica

Salt harvesters in Guérande, in western France, have gathered the salt almost two months earlier then usual because of the dry conditions.

The New York Times

If one day you started the Pod 15 minutes later then usual, tailgated other cars, accelerated fast and braked hard, the car would know something was wrong.

The New York Times

The turnout was smaller then usual, and many people told us afterwards that they didn't bother to vote because they assumed the budget would pass".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

If, then (the usual derivative), while if, then (the usual forward difference).

Advances in Difference Equations

Then his usual grin returns.

The Economist

Then, as usual, he ran into somebody he knew.

The New Yorker

Then, the usual mayhem: how, what, when, and why?

The Guardian - Books

Then, as usual, some solvers created traps of their own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "than" for comparisons. "Then" indicates sequence or time, while "than" is used to compare two things. Use "than usual" to indicate something is different from what is typically expected.

Common error

Avoid using "then" in comparative contexts. "Then" refers to time or sequence, while "than" is used for comparisons. Using "then" instead of "than" can lead to grammatical errors and unclear sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then usual" is grammatically incorrect. It's intended as a comparative, but uses the wrong word. The correct form is "than usual," which functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a comparison to what is typical. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "then usual" is grammatically incorrect. The proper comparative form is "than usual," used to express that something differs from what is typical. Ludwig AI identifies this issue, and a variety of sources illustrate correct usage. The phrase is suitable for neutral contexts, with its formality depending on the overall tone. Avoid using "then" in comparative constructions to prevent grammatical errors. "Than usual" or alternative phrases like "more than normal" or "less than typical" effectively express deviations from typicality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

than usual

Corrects the grammatical error, replacing "then" with "than" to create a proper comparison.

more than usual

Emphasizes the comparative aspect, indicating something exceeds the typical amount.

less than usual

Expresses the opposite comparison, indicating something falls below the typical amount.

as usual

Shifts the focus to typicality, indicating something is happening in the expected manner.

typically

Conveys the concept of something being done in a standard or expected way.

ordinarily

Highlights the common or regular occurrence of something.

normally

Indicates something happens in a standard or expected fashion.

customarily

Suggests something is done according to established customs or practices.

routinely

Implies something is done as a matter of course or as part of a regular procedure.

commonly

Indicates something is frequently encountered or done.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "then usual"?

The correct phrase is "than usual". "Than" is used for comparisons, while "then" is related to time or sequence.

When should I use "than usual" in a sentence?

"Than usual" is used to indicate that something is different or exceeds what is expected or typical. For example, "I am more tired than usual today".

What are some alternatives to "than usual"?

You can use phrases like "more than normal", "less than typical", or "as opposed to usual" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "then usual" and "than usual"?

"Then" indicates a time sequence, while "than usual" makes a comparison to what is typical. "Then usual" is grammatically incorrect.