they are usually

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are usually" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that something is typically or normally the case. For example, "They are usually early to church on Sundays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are usually tomboys.

The New York Times

They are usually disappointed.

The Economist

They are usually inconspicuous.

Britannica

"They are usually in here.

The New York Times

They are usually good campaigners.

The New York Times

They are usually a sign.

The Guardian

They are usually doing interesting things.

The Guardian

But they are usually money-losing operations.

The New York Times

They are usually far from city centers.

The New York Times

They are usually proud of this devotion.

The Economist

They are usually described as portraits.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are usually" to describe typical characteristics or behaviors. Ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they are usually" to make sweeping statements about entire groups. Qualify your statements to acknowledge exceptions and variations within the group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are usually" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the typicality or commonality of an action or state. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to express a general tendency or expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

31%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are usually" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is generally the case. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across different contexts, particularly in news, media, and wiki articles. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overgeneralization and to adjust the register based on the specific writing context. Consider alternatives like "they typically are" or "they generally are" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they typically are

Replaces "usually" with "typically", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

they generally are

Substitutes "usually" with "generally", indicating a common but not universal occurrence.

they commonly are

Replaces "usually" with "commonly", suggesting a frequent occurrence.

they often are

Uses "often" in place of "usually", indicating a frequent but not necessarily typical occurrence.

in most cases they are

Adds specificity by stating "in most cases", emphasizing that it's not a universal rule.

more often than not they are

Expresses a higher probability with "more often than not", indicating a likely outcome.

as a rule they are

Indicates a general principle or guideline, with a slightly more formal tone.

they tend to be

Shifts the focus to a tendency rather than a strict pattern.

it is common for them to be

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the commonality of the situation.

it's typical for them to be

Rephrases the sentence structure using "typical" to convey a general expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "they are usually" in a sentence?

Use "they are usually" to describe common attributes or behaviors within a specific group, such as, "Students from that school, "they are usually" well-prepared for university".

What are some alternatives to "they are usually"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they typically are", "they generally are", or "they often are", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "they are usually" formal or informal?

"They are usually" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "they are usually" and "they are always"?

"They are usually" indicates a common occurrence but allows for exceptions, while "they are always" implies that something happens without exception. The former is more flexible and realistic.