we usually are

USAGE SUMMARY

"we usually are" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need to indicate habitual or typical behavior. For example: "We usually are the first ones to arrive at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"We were nowhere near as competitive as we usually are".

The Guardian - Sport

When Americans use hyper as a slang adjective, we usually are shortening hyperactive, meaning "high-strung, nervous in the service".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We usually are on the better side of those 3-point wins," Brady said, referring to the Patriots' three Super Bowl victories, all by 3 points.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have to go there and be as professional as we usually are, take the game seriously and show our quality on the day.

Independent

"We weren't as ready as we usually are, and they were on fire," Dartmouth Coach Judy Oberting said of St. Lawrence, a team the Big Green tied, 2-2, iNovemberer and defeated, 5-3, in January.

The New York Times - Sports

In the English-speaking world, when we're besotted, we say we're head over heels – which is odd, since unless we're standing on our heads, that's the way we usually are.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"The only visitors we get usually are people who have had family in the area for generations".

The Guardian - Travel

If we manage to take someone else's assigned seat, we can usually be called on, but not always.

Huffington Post

While we might not always be able to get the perfect outcome, we've usually been more or less successful.

Huffington Post

He was shorter than he used to be, as adults we remember from childhood usually are.

The New Yorker

And we've usually been right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we usually are" to describe habitual actions or states that are typical for a group. Ensure the context clearly defines the "we" being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "we usually are" when the statement doesn't apply consistently to the entire group. Qualify the statement or use a more specific descriptor if needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we usually are" functions as an assertion to describe a typical or habitual state or action performed by a group. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we usually are" is a grammatically sound and functional expression employed to describe typical or habitual states and actions of a group. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its neutral register allows for adaptability across different settings. When using this phrase, ensure accurate representation of the group's typical behaviors to avoid overgeneralizations. Consider alternatives like "we generally are" or "we typically are" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we generally are

Replaces "usually" with "generally", indicating a broad sense of typicality.

we typically are

Substitutes "usually" with "typically", suggesting a characteristic pattern.

we normally are

Uses "normally" in place of "usually", implying a standard or expected state.

we often are

Replaces "usually" with "often", indicating a frequent occurrence but not necessarily a standard one.

we frequently are

Employs "frequently" instead of "usually", suggesting a high rate of occurrence.

we commonly are

Uses "commonly" to replace "usually", indicating widespread occurrence.

we habitually are

Replaces "usually" with "habitually", emphasizing the routine or ingrained nature of the behavior.

we tend to be

Shifts the structure to "tend to be", expressing a predisposition or inclination.

we have a tendency to be

Adds more emphasis to inclination or pattern, not a hard fixed habit

it is our usual practice to be

This is an extremely formal way to convey a habitual custom

FAQs

How can I use "we usually are" in a sentence?

Use "we usually are" to describe a typical state or action of a group, such as, "We usually are the first to arrive."

What's a more formal alternative to "we usually are"?

For a more formal tone, consider "we typically are" or "we generally are".

Is it correct to say "we are usually" instead of "we usually are"?

Both "we usually are" and "we are usually" are grammatically correct, but "we usually are" often emphasizes the habitual nature of the action or state.

When should I avoid using "we usually are"?

Avoid using "we usually are" if the statement is an overgeneralization or doesn't accurately reflect the typical behavior of the group you're referring to.