usually could

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "usually could" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a general ability or possibility that is typically present in certain situations. Example: "In the past, I usually could finish my assignments ahead of time, but now I find it more challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"And we usually could.

The New York Times - Books

Board members usually could not be removed for anything less than legal violations.

The New York Times

Even though Woodrow was the superior athlete, Pershing usually could get the better of him.

The New York Times - Sports

But my nonlinguist friends who did this usually could not find their way back.

The New York Times - Travel

Males usually could recall no dreams associated with emission, although most implicated erotic dreaming.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Greenspan then backed off, saying that bubbles usually could not be detected until after they popped.

The New York Times

"If I'd picked up, it could have been enough to stop her, because I usually could make her laugh.

The New Yorker

José Cadavid, 63, of Woodside, Queens, said he usually could not get his pharmacists to explain his medication in Spanish.

The New York Times

"As bad as my back was, I usually could have holed at least four of the putts I missed.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Turness is used to competition, given that the BBC usually could outnumber and outspend her at ITV News.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Usually, I could sort them out by sniffing or squeezing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "usually could" to indicate a general ability or possibility that was typically present in the past. It implies that something was possible under normal circumstances.

Common error

While "usually could" is correct, avoid combining it with too many other adverbs that express similar meanings. For example, "generally, usually could" is redundant. Choose the single best adverb to express your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "usually could" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a general past ability or possibility. Ludwig AI's analysis supports its use in expressing actions or states that were typically true under specific conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usually could" is a versatile phrase used to express a past ability or possibility that was generally true. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "generally could" or "typically could" exist, "usually could" remains a clear and effective choice for indicating past capabilities under normal circumstances. Remember to avoid redundancy by not combining it with other adverbs of similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally could

Replaces "usually" with "generally", indicating a common but not necessarily universal ability.

typically could

Substitutes "usually" with "typically", suggesting a characteristic ability or action.

normally could

Uses "normally" in place of "usually", denoting what is expected or standard.

ordinarily could

Employs "ordinarily" instead of "usually", highlighting a customary or regular capacity.

commonly could

Replaces "usually" with "commonly", emphasizing the frequent occurrence of an ability.

often was able to

Rephrases the sentence to include "was able to" to express capability in past instances.

would often

Expresses a habitual action or capability in the past, similar to "usually could".

in general could

Adds "in general" for emphasis, clarifying that the ability was broadly applicable.

on average could

Highlights that the ability was typical when considering an average or overall view.

as a rule could

Indicates a general principle or standard ability, similar to "usually could".

FAQs

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

The phrase "usually could" indicates something that was generally possible or true in the past. For example, "Before the injury, I "usually could" run a mile in under six minutes."

What are some alternatives to "usually could"?

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

Is "usually could" formal or informal?

"Usually could" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in news articles, scientific papers, and casual writing.

What is the difference between "usually could" and "could usually"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "usually could" is more common. "Could usually" might place more emphasis on the possibility rather than the frequency, but the difference is subtle. For instance: "I "usually could" find parking" (frequency) versus "I "could usually" find parking" (possibility).