usual route

USAGE SUMMARY

"usual route" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a route that is often taken or familiar to someone. For example: "I took the usual route to work today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A bombing raid struck her usual route.

The New York Times

My usual route was the Brooklyn Bridge.

The New York Times

"There's no usual route to the mayor's office, no usual route to permits," she said.

The New York Times

Mr. Denton didn't take the usual route of dissembling about the pay-for-play news.

The New York Times

Devaluation, the usual route to rebalancing, is not open to countries in the euro area.

The Economist

Why not name his usual route the Harry S. Truman Walking Path?

The New Yorker

The usual route to intimacy is, among other things, winding and often accidental.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I veered off my usual route and pedalled in whatever direction made the sound grow louder.

The New Yorker

Television cameras' usual route to battle is the trail left by its victims.

The New York Times

They didn't take the usual route of producing lots of songs for individual characters.

The New York Times

He briskly covered the ground on his usual route to the garden centre.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action that deviates from the "usual route", emphasize the unexpected nature of the change to highlight the significance.

Common error

Avoid using "usual route" to describe a novel or experimental method. "Usual route" suggests something established and well-known, not something new or untried.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "usual route" functions as a noun phrase, where "usual" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "route". It identifies a path or method that is commonly or habitually followed. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in describing travel paths or procedural methods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usual route" is a common and grammatically sound phrase that denotes a familiar or customary path or method. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase, combining the adjective "usual" with the noun "route" to identify a frequently followed course. Predominantly used in news and media, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various settings. Remember to use it when describing established paths or procedures, and avoid it when referring to something new or experimental.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical route

Replaces "usual" with "typical", emphasizing the commonality of the path.

regular path

Substitutes "route" with "path", suggesting a more general way or course.

normal channel

Emphasizes the pathway/route which is normal in a particular scenario.

standard way

Replaces "route" with "way", focusing on the method or manner of doing something.

familiar road

Focuses on the known and recognized path, emphasizing familiarity.

customary course

Emphasizes the habitual or traditional nature of the route or method.

beaten track

An idiomatic alternative referring to a well-traveled and common route.

common procedure

Shifts from a physical path to an established method or set of actions.

conventional method

Highlights the established and widely accepted approach to a task.

established channel

Suggests a more formal or official route or means of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "usual route" in a sentence?

You can use "usual route" to describe a frequently taken path or an established method. For example: "I take the "usual route" to work every day" or "The company didn't follow the "usual route" for product development".

What can I say instead of "usual route"?

You can use alternatives like "typical route", "regular path", or "standard way" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the route is usual"?

While grammatically understandable, "the route is usual" is less common and idiomatic than ""usual route"". The latter is the preferred phrasing.

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

"Usual route" implies a habitual or customary path based on someone's routine. "Normal route" suggests a standard or expected path in a given situation.