they usually are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they usually are" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You may use it when you are describing something that usually happens and usually exists. For example, "The classes at my school typically have a mix of ages and abilities - they usually are quite diverse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, they usually are anyway.

The New York Times

"As opposed to what they usually are".

The New York Times - Sports

The activists will stay as grumpy as they usually are.

The Guardian - Opinion

The truly rich will be fine, as they usually are.

The New York Times

With a laugh, he added, "And they usually are".

The New Yorker

They also have to be right, and they usually are".

The New York Times

But my mistakes were pretty noticeable – they usually are.

The Guardian - Music

They usually are the most visible ones, though.

The New York Times

Get real.The cynics may be proved right; they usually are.

The Economist

Students may be more invested in this election than they usually are in politics.

Harvard University

For a political leader to be successful they usually are interested in the hype.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they usually are" to express a common or expected characteristic of a group or category. Ensure the subject "they" is clearly defined in the context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they usually are" when describing a situation with near-certainty. "Usually" implies exceptions; use phrases like "they always are" or "they invariably are" if exceptions are improbable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they usually are" functions as an auxiliary phrase used to attribute a common characteristic or state to a plural subject. It indicates that something is generally true or typical for the group being discussed. This aligns with Ludwig's confirmation of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they usually are" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression for conveying a general truth or common characteristic about a group. As affirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for diverse contexts, but nuanced alternatives like "they generally are" or "they typically are" can refine the meaning. A key best practice is ensuring clarity in the referent of "they", while avoiding overgeneralization. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous real-world examples, underscores its versatility in expressing commonalities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they generally are

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

they typically are

Uses "typically" to convey a sense of what is normal or expected.

they often are

Substitutes "usually" with "often", suggesting a frequent but not constant occurrence.

they normally are

Employs "normally" to indicate what is usual or standard.

they tend to be

Shifts the structure to "tend to be", expressing a predisposition or inclination.

they will often be

Uses "will often be" to predict the frequency of a certain state.

it is their usual state

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the state rather than the frequency.

it is common for them to be

Rephrases the idea to highlight the commonality of a particular state.

that's how they are most of the time

Offers a more informal way to express that something is generally true.

as a rule, they are

Expresses a general truth or principle about something.

FAQs

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

Use "they usually are" to describe something that is generally true for a specific group. For example, "The restaurants in this area are very busy; "they usually are" packed on weekends."

What can I say instead of "they usually are"?

You can use alternatives like "they typically are", "they generally are", or "they often are" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they usually is"?

No, it's not grammatically correct. The correct form is "they usually are" because "they" is a plural pronoun, and it requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "are".

What’s the difference between "they usually are" and "they are usually"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "They usually are" places a slight emphasis on the "usually", while "they are usually" may emphasize the state of being. The choice often depends on the rhythm and flow of the sentence.