usually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "usually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens most of the time or in most cases. Example: "I usually go for a run in the morning before work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We usually have music on in the background, but because of the detox we had to switch it off.

The Guardian

Not usually.

The New York Times

Even if people are dissatisfied with their bank, it's usually cheaper not to fight than to switch.

The Economist

Related: Museums at Night 2015 – a weekend of nocturnal activities "The idea has always been to get institutions to think about doing something different with their venues and different ways to attract audiences they wouldn't usually reach," said Nick Stockman, the festival campaign manager.

The Guardian

More clear-cut – and usually held up as the unambiguously golden part of his legacy – is Kennedy's handling of the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.

The Guardian

If everyone who usually spends their days watching The Big Bang Theory was forced out to vote by a lack of anything else to do, we'll be plunged into the nightmarish reality of a socialist government come 8 May.

The Guardian

If she hopes to remain a player she would be wise to shelve any thought of publishing vengeful diaries, usually a divisive step even before the Mail has bought lucrative serialisation rights and sexed them up.

The Guardian

It is usually denied by the perpetrator and his victim.

The Guardian

In Italy, when voters are asked if the country would be better off outside the euro, most Italians usually reply affirmatively.

The Guardian

On day two – usually my heaviest bleeding day – I had to use four sanitary pads.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was clear from their stories that it was usually women themselves hiding menstruation behind silence and shame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "usually" to indicate a common occurrence that isn't absolute. This implies there are exceptions, distinguishing it from words like "always" or "never".

Common error

Avoid overuse in academic or professional contexts. Opt for stronger, more precise alternatives like "typically", "generally", or "in most cases" to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

Usually functions as an adverb of frequency, modifying verbs or entire clauses to indicate that an action or state occurs most of the time, but not always. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usually" is a versatile adverb of frequency used to indicate that something happens most of the time. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage across numerous contexts, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically sound and commonly used, it's important to consider context. While "usually" is acceptable for casual conversations, formal writing will benefit from more explicit alternatives like "generally" or "typically", to express a common situation without excluding possible exceptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally

Indicates a broad, overall pattern or trend, lacking the slight exception implied by "usually".

typically

Highlights something as a representative example or common instance; it emphasizes representativeness more than frequency as "usually" does.

normally

Refers to what is expected or standard under ordinary circumstances. It focuses more on conforming to a norm rather than just frequency.

commonly

Emphasizes the widespread occurrence of something, rather than its regularity for a specific subject as "usually" does.

ordinarily

Highlights what is done or happens in the normal course of events; it's more formal than "usually".

regularly

Emphasizes the consistent and repeated nature of an action, focusing on the timing rather than a percentage of occurrences.

most often

Places greater emphasis on the frequency of something, potentially implying there are very few exceptions.

in most cases

Explicitly acknowledges that there are exceptions, making it less concise than "usually".

as a rule

Implies a guiding principle or established practice, rather than simply frequency.

more often than not

Less formal and more emphatic, it highlights that something happens more times than it doesn't.

FAQs

How can I use "usually" in a sentence?

Use "usually" to describe an action or state that occurs most of the time. For example, "I /s/usually+drink coffee in the morning" or "The train /s/usually+arrives on time".

What are some alternatives to "usually"?

Alternatives include "generally", "typically", "normally", and "commonly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "usually" and "always"?

"Usually" indicates that something happens most of the time, but not every time. "Always" means something happens every single time without exception. "I /s/usually+go to the gym" means I go most days, but not all, while "I /s/always+go to the gym" would be incorrect.

What's the difference between "usually" and "frequently"?

"Usually" implies that something is the normal or expected occurrence, while "frequently" simply means something happens often. "Usually" focuses on what is typical, whereas "frequently" emphasizes the number of occurrences. You /s/usually+eat dinner at 7, because it is expected while you /s/frequently+eat pasta, because you enjoy it.