usually occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "usually occupied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state where something or someone is typically engaged or filled with activity. Example: "The conference room is usually occupied during the afternoon meetings, so it's best to schedule your appointment for the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Traditionally, the village was usually occupied by a patrilineage (umunna).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Turned out the bed, usually occupied by a child, was lined with a rubber sheet.

The New York Times - Travel

Watching intently from the box usually occupied by hockey teams was Ms. Tarasova.

The New York Times

Bubbies has blond hair and a face usually occupied by observant silences.

The New Yorker

Paterno's wife, Sue, sat in the front seat usually occupied by Paterno.

The New York Times

Yet book margins remained wide, and the text usually occupied less than half the available area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Next to it is a lane usually occupied by parked vehicles, and then a traffic lane.

The New York Times

The position usually occupied by the maxillary has been taken by the pterygoid bone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three- and four-star hotels, the sort usually occupied by mainland visitors, are already overbooked beginning next month.

The New York Times

The office of the Tested Selling Institute is a small one, usually occupied only by Mr. Wheeler and his secretary.

The New Yorker

It is usually occupied by one extended family, but last night there were suggestions that several families were in residence.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a space or position, use "usually occupied" to denote its typical or expected state of being in use. This clarifies the normal condition versus occasional exceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "usually occupied" when you mean 'always occupied' or 'sometimes occupied'. "Usually occupied" implies a high probability of being occupied, but not certainty. If something is always occupied, use "always", and if it's only occasionally occupied, use "sometimes" or "occasionally".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "usually occupied" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a passive verb construction. It describes the typical state or condition of a subject, indicating the likelihood or frequency of its being inhabited or in use. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "usually occupied" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe the typical state of something being in use or inhabited. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication needs. To enhance clarity, avoid confusing it with 'always' or 'sometimes' occupied. Consider alternatives like "typically inhabited" or "generally used" for nuanced expression. The consistent correctness and wide applicability of "usually occupied" make it a valuable addition to any writer's repertoire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typically inhabited

Focuses on the regular inhabitation of a place, replacing 'occupied' with 'inhabited' for a more residential connotation.

generally used

Emphasizes the common use of something, substituting 'occupied' with 'used' to highlight functionality.

commonly filled

Highlights the typical contents or occupants, replacing 'occupied' with 'filled' to stress capacity.

frequently tenanted

Suggests regular occupancy, swapping 'occupied' with 'tenanted' to specify a form of holding or renting.

normally stationed

Indicates a usual posting or location, changing 'occupied' to 'stationed' to denote a fixed position.

ordinarily housed

Emphasizes the normal housing or accommodation of something, replacing 'occupied' with 'housed' to indicate sheltering.

customarily held

Highlights traditional or habitual holding, switching 'occupied' to 'held' to imply a customary possession.

regularly seated

Implies a consistent arrangement of sitting, replacing 'occupied' with 'seated' to emphasize sitting arrangements.

characteristically positioned

Denotes a typical placing or arrangement, changing 'occupied' to 'positioned' to highlight location qualities.

conventionally settled

Indicates a common or agreed settlement, replacing 'occupied' with 'settled' to underscore customary arrangement.

FAQs

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

You can use "usually occupied" to describe a space or position that is typically in use, such as "The conference room is "usually occupied" during the afternoon meetings" or "That seat is "usually occupied" by the team lead".

What phrases are similar to "usually occupied"?

Similar phrases include "typically inhabited", "commonly filled", or "generally used". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "usually being occupied" instead of "usually occupied"?

While grammatically understandable, "usually being occupied" is less concise and less common than ""usually occupied"". The latter is generally preferred for its directness.

What's the difference between "usually occupied" and "always occupied"?

"Usually occupied" implies that the space or position is typically in use but might sometimes be available. "Always occupied" means it is never available.