usual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "usual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is customary or typical in a given context. Example: "As per our usual practice, we will hold the meeting every Monday at 10 AM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The usual.

The New York Times - Sports

Though that announcement had been hedged with the usual caveats, there was guarded optimism that MDP 301 would have similar results.

The Economist

Pinker calls this offense "a schoolteacher rule" that is "a product of the usual three confusions: English with Latin, informal style with incorrect grammar, and syntax with semantics".

The Economist

But, as usual, I will also be flagging up any breaking political news, posting summaries with a round-up of all the day's developments, and highlighting the most interesting political articles on the web.

The Guardian

As usual, I'll also be covering all the breaking political news as well as looking at the papers and bringing you the best politics from the web.

The Guardian

Senator Ted Cruz is the biggest threat to business as usual in Washington in the last 25 years – and that is a great thing for America.

The Guardian - Opinion

Party leadership figures lined up to persuade members to vote for an endorsement of "business of usual" on fiscal policy, albeit accepting some amended language committing us explicitly to prioritising sensible stuff like investment in infrastructure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gathering artists for the 40th Glastonbury had been easier than usual, said Eavis, admitting that the act he was most "wobbly-kneed" about was Willie Nelson.

The Guardian - Music

Workers in Pyongyang working in shifts at factories need stores to open earlier and close later than usual, the Choson Sinbo report noted.

The Guardian

The usual spring maniacs have been ripping up the daffodils and strewing them about.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In South Africa the BBC came under fire from the usual quarters for taking 295 staff and building that £1m glass studio with views of Table Mountain.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "usual" to denote something that is commonly encountered or expected, ensuring it accurately reflects the typical occurrence in the given context. For example, "The usual procedure is to submit the form online."

Common error

Avoid using "usual" to describe situations or events that are explicitly rare or unique. Instead, reserve it for instances where commonality is a key characteristic. For example, don't say "The usual miracle happened," as miracles are by definition unusual.

Linguistic Context

The word "usual" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is common, typical, or expected. It's often used to describe routines, practices, or occurrences, as supported by Ludwig and its examples like "the usual spring maniacs" and "business as usual".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usual" is a common adjective used to describe something that is typical, ordinary, or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's grammatically straightforward, be mindful of using it in situations where commonality is not actually present. Alternatives such as "typical", "common", and "ordinary" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. Remembering these points will ensure accurate and effective usage of the word "usual" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical

Indicates conformity to a type or standard; highlights representativeness.

common

Suggests something occurs frequently or is widely found; emphasizes prevalence.

ordinary

Implies a lack of distinction or special quality; stresses normalcy.

standard

Indicates something serving as a measure of quality or norm; stresses conformity.

regular

Implies occurring at fixed intervals or being consistently present; focuses on predictability.

customary

Refers to something done according to convention or long-established practice; emphasizes tradition.

conventional

Indicates adherence to accepted norms or practices; stresses conformity.

routine

Implies a set of actions performed regularly; highlights predictability and order.

wonted

Signifies something one is accustomed to or that is characteristic; emphasizes habit.

expected

Indicates something anticipated or regarded as likely to happen; focuses on anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "usual" in a sentence?

You can use "usual" to describe something that is common or expected. For example, "The "usual suspects" were present at the meeting", or "It's "usual practice" to arrive early".

What can I say instead of "usual"?

Alternatives to "usual" include "typical", "common", "ordinary", "standard", or "regular", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "usual" or "unusual"?

"Usual" describes something that is common or expected, while "unusual" describes something that is rare or unexpected. The correct choice depends on the situation you're describing. For example, "It's "usual" to have sunny days in summer" versus "It's "unusual" to have snow in July".

What's the difference between "usual" and "normal"?

"Usual" refers to what commonly occurs or is practiced, while "normal" refers to what conforms to a standard or average. While they can often be used interchangeably, "normal" often implies a benchmark or expectation based on data, whereas "usual" focuses more on observed frequency. For example, "The "usual" time to arrive is 9 am" versus "The blood pressure is within "normal" range".