unlike usually

USAGE SUMMARY

"unlike usually" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to signal to the reader that something is not typically the case. For example, "Unlike usually, the forecast calls for rain today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And the next group leaves Switzerland on Tuesday and arrives on Wednesday morning, and since it is a night race, we only start working in the afternoon, unlike usually at 7 a.m.

The New York Times - Sports

Unlike usually random selection, the non-MC examples are selected considering the initial detection procedure.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In more quantitative assessments, the results are generally expressed in terms of the attributable change in morbidity or mortality, usually (unlike CRA) for each endpoint separately – aggregation is thus left to the user.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Unlike the usually clean-shaven and uniformed conventional forces, the American commandos grow their beards out.

The New York Times

Unlike the usually more formal websites, netiquette demands that social media accounts speak in a softer, more approachable tone.

The Guardian

Farmers and urbanites, unlike nomads, usually have a clear idea what their homes and maize-plots are worth.

The Economist

Veterinarians, unlike physicians, usually are not paid by insurance companies, do not charge as much and cannot count on as many people willing to pay for their services.

The New York Times

Unlike the usually quick-fading male teenage heartthrobs, the diva lineage they're claiming is characterized by precocious beginnings that lead to long careers.

The New York Times - Arts

Each new Madoff revelation sheds light on an entire culture that allowed far loftier flimflams than his to succeed — though the loftier culprits, unlike him, usually escaped with the proceeds.

The New York Times

Unlike the usually adopted average method of introducing an effective adhesion energy, the effect of substrate roughness is considered directly in this paper and an accurate closed-form solution to the peel-off force under quasi-static peeling process is achieved.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

It was found that, unlike the usually recommended at least 10-fold Hg II) excess in anodic stripping experiments at in situ prepared mercury film electrodes, Bi III -to-metal ion ratios less than 10 are either optimal or equally effective at CPE and Au electrode suBi III -to-metal

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlike usually", ensure that the contrast is clear and that the statement provides new information or insight. For example, instead of saying "Unlike usually, it rained today," consider "Unlike usually, the stock market opened lower today, due to unexpected news."

Common error

Avoid using "unlike usually" when the contrast is already implied or obvious. For instance, saying "Unlike usually, the sun rose in the east" is redundant because the sun always rises in the east. Instead, focus on less predictable deviations from the norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlike usually" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrast or exception to a norm. Ludwig highlights that it indicates something deviates from the typical expectation. It sets the stage for describing an atypical event or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unlike usually" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a contrast to what is typical, as confirmed by Ludwig. Although it is valid, the expression is relatively rare, appearing in contexts such as news and media and scientific literature. While Ludwig AI deems it acceptable for use, it is important to ensure clarity and avoid redundancy. Alternative phrases, such as "not typically" or "contrary to usual practice", may provide more common or stylistically preferred options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atypically

A single-word adverb that succinctly conveys the idea of not being typical.

not typically

Uses "not typically" to directly negate the usual occurrence, offering a more concise alternative.

uncommonly

Similar to "atypically", but emphasizes the rarity of the occurrence.

contrary to usual practice

Replaces "unlike" with "contrary to", emphasizing the opposition to typical behavior.

different from what's typical

Emphasizes the divergence from the typical or standard case.

in contrast to the norm

Highlights the opposition to the expected standard or behavior.

deviating from the standard

Focuses on the act of straying away from what is considered standard or normal.

in an unusual manner

Describes the action being performed in a way that is not ordinary.

diverging from the routine

Highlights a departure from the established or expected routine.

against the grain

An idiomatic expression indicating behavior that is contrary to what is expected or typical.

FAQs

How can I use "unlike usually" in a sentence?

Use "unlike usually" to highlight a deviation from a typical pattern or expectation. For instance, "Unlike usually, the meeting started on time today" indicates that the meeting's punctuality was unexpected.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "unlike usually"?

You can use phrases like "not typically", "contrary to usual practice", or "atypically" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "unlike usually"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, although not very common. It's used to point out something that is different from what normally occurs. However, make sure the contrast is clear and adds value to the sentence.

In what contexts is "unlike usually" most appropriate?

This phrase is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize a departure from a common pattern, whether in news reports, scientific observations, or general descriptions of events. For example: "Unlike usually, the birds did not migrate this year".