usually never

USAGE SUMMARY

"usually never" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something happens only very rarely. For example, "He usually never takes a vacation from work."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But "later" is usually never.

Harvard Business Review

He said that he "usually" never wrote more than three.

The New Yorker

We usually never went up to 80 percent over all.

The New York Times

"I usually never even remember my dreams," Mr. Cohen said.

The New York Times

We address the question of finding the processes behind the crop heterogeneity effect, usually never studied whatever the taxa.

Ecological Modelling

The people who showed up for these events had usually never heard of me.

The New York Times - Books

"I popped the last jump and it's a jump that I usually never miss".

The New York Times - Sports

The owner of an infected computer usually never knows the PC has been compromised.

The New York Times

Because the near field usually never gets to the image, information is lacking about the source.

The Economist

It's usually never as good as Mom's, but I get around the kitchen all right.

The New York Times

It's that he's making a case that's usually never addressed by atheists at all.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "usually never" is widely understood, consider whether a single adverb like "rarely" or "almost never" might provide a more concise and impactful expression.

Common error

Be mindful that "usually never" can sometimes be perceived as redundant. Double-check your sentence to ensure the meaning isn't clearer and more direct with a single adverb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "usually never" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or likelihood of an action or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in modifying verbs to express rarity or infrequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "usually never" is a common expression used to convey that something happens very infrequently. Although Ludwig AI indicates the expression is acceptable, it's worth noting that it can be perceived as redundant, and more concise alternatives like "almost never" or "rarely ever" may be preferable, especially in formal contexts. While understood across various registers, it frequently appears in news, media, and informal content. When writing, consider whether a simpler adverb can effectively communicate the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost never

Emphasizes rarity, suggesting it happens very infrequently.

hardly ever

Indicates a low frequency of occurrence.

rarely ever

Similar to 'hardly ever', implying infrequent occurrence.

seldom if ever

Highlights the infrequency, potentially suggesting it might not happen at all.

not usually

A more straightforward way of saying something doesn't commonly occur.

almost never happens

Explicitly states that an event rarely occurs.

it rarely occurs

Highlights the infrequency of an event in a more formal tone.

infrequently happens

A formal way to indicate something happens rarely.

does not generally

Suggests a lack of typicality or a departure from the norm.

typically doesn't

Highlights the atypical nature of an event or action.

FAQs

Is "usually never" grammatically correct?

While some may consider it redundant, "usually never" is commonly used and generally understood. Ludwig AI identifies the expression as acceptable for general usage. However, more concise alternatives may be preferable in formal writing.

What does "usually never" mean?

The phrase "usually never" means that something almost never happens. It emphasizes the rarity of an event or action. You can find similar expressions such as "almost never" or "hardly ever".

How can I use "usually never" in a sentence?

You can use "usually never" to describe actions or events that rarely occur. For example, "He usually never takes a vacation from work" means he almost never takes time off.

Which is better, "usually never" or "almost never"?

While both are acceptable, "almost never" is generally considered more concise and grammatically elegant. "Usually never" is often perceived as slightly redundant but can still effectively convey the intended meaning.