typically always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "typically always" is not considered grammatically correct in written English. The word "always" implies a permanent or constant state, while "typically" suggests something that happens most of the time but not always. Using both words together creates a contradictory statement. You can use "typically" or "always" in a sentence, but not both together. For example: - He typically arrives at work by 9 am. - She always volunteers to help with charity events. If you want to emphasize that something happens frequently or regularly, you can use modifiers such as "almost always" or "usually always." For example: - My cat almost always sneezes when she's around flowers. - They usually always take the same route to work.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If you have a good life, you typically always feel that there's something that you want to do next".

The New Yorker

For example, nuclear power must typically always be dispatched.

Environmental Systems Research

Nudists typically always carry around a towel to put on bare surfaces before they sit down and keep some garments handy to deal with weather realities.

Vice

While I may have to shift things from day to day, I can typically always meet my goals by the end of the week, with compassion for myself and my family.

Huffington Post

You will typically always have enough fire to take care of all your cooking needs.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

CDPD connections, like most cable and DSL modems, are typically always-on, which means you don't have to waste time waiting for modems to synch up.

Forbes

Martin Corry: 6 Typically solid, always involved, Corry seldom caught the eye as he played the No 6 role more as a tight than a loose forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Nearly every song in the show was an opening for a coordinated chant: "I say, 'Heyyyy-ohh,' " Mr. Armstrong typically called, always getting his response.

The New York Times - Arts

"Typically, we always see an increase in traffic in the beginning of a new year — part of a New Year's resolution," said Matt Tatham, a media analyst at Hitwise, an online measurement company.

The New York Times

The problem is that typically — not always, but typically — there is no way that the covert action will be able to deliver on a President's policy objective, in this case prevent North Korea from developing the capability of putting a U.S. city at risk of nuclear attack.

The New Yorker

(The general logic of fiction, however, is often regarded as nonclassical, for two reasons: (1) a story may be inconsistent and hence require a paraconsistent logic, and (2) the objects a story describes are typically (maybe always) incomplete; that is, the story does not determine for each such object o and every property P whether or not o has P).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "typically always" in formal writing; it is often perceived as redundant. Choose either "typically" or "almost always" for better clarity.

Common error

Be mindful of using adverbs that create redundancy. Using "typically" and "always" together diminishes the precision of your writing. Instead of using both, determine if you want to emphasize the usual nature of something, or its consistent presence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "typically always" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to describe the frequency of an action or state. However, as Ludwig AI explains, the combination is logically flawed due to the conflicting meanings of "typically" and "always".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "typically always" presents a grammatical challenge due to its conflicting modifiers. While it appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Science, its usage is generally discouraged in formal writing. Ludwig AI points out the redundancy and suggests opting for clearer alternatives like "almost always" or "usually". By understanding these nuances, writers can ensure greater precision and clarity in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost always

Indicates a high probability but allows for occasional exceptions.

usually

Suggests that something happens most of the time.

generally

Implies a broad trend or common pattern.

in most cases

Highlights that something is true for the majority of instances.

more often than not

Emphasizes the frequency of an event.

typically

Expresses that something usually happens in a particular way.

customarily

Highlights a habit or tradition.

ordinarily

Indicates what is normal or expected.

frequently

Emphasizes how often something occurs.

on a regular basis

Indicates consistent and repeated occurrences.

FAQs

Is "typically always" grammatically correct?

The phrase "typically always" is generally considered redundant. "Always" implies that something happens without exception, while "typically" suggests that it usually happens but not necessarily all the time. It's best to choose one or the other depending on the intended meaning.

What's a better way to say "typically always"?

Instead of "typically always", you can use phrases like "almost always", "usually", or "generally" to convey a similar meaning without the redundancy.

When should I use "typically" instead of "always"?

Use "typically" when something happens under normal circumstances or as a general rule, but not in every single case. Use "always" when something happens without any exceptions.

What is the difference between "typically" and "almost always"?

"Typically" indicates a common occurrence or characteristic, while "almost always" emphasizes that something happens very frequently with only rare exceptions. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to express.