were usually used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were usually used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common practice or habit in the past. Example: "In ancient times, herbs were usually used for medicinal purposes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Color, bold type and highlighting were usually used to identify the store or provide information more useful to the pharmacist than the patient.

The New York Times - Health

For this kind of structure fluid coupling problem, some simplified theoretical methods were usually used previously.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Most are small, reflecting the fact that they were usually used as back rooms for houses that stood slightly lower down.

The New York Times - Travel

Shading devices, such as solar screens, were usually used to diffuse and prevent direct solar penetration into spaces.

Solar Energy

The largest number of stelae were produced in Attica, where they were usually used as grave markers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Taliban said the hotels in the area were "usually used for immoral and unethical purposes, both for the foreigners and their puppet colleagues".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Alloy magnets are usually used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Toms are usually used for deli meat.

The Guardian - Business

Cortisone is usually used to treat inflammation.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, stepwise elution is usually used.

Food and Bioproducts Processing

The beans are usually used whole or coarsely chopped.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past practices or conventions, use "were usually used" to clearly indicate that something was a common or typical method at a specific time. For example, "In the past, manual typewriters were usually used in offices."

Common error

Overusing the passive voice can make your writing vague. Instead of always saying "were usually used", consider specifying who or what was doing the using. For example, instead of "Herbs were usually used for healing", try "Doctors usually used herbs for healing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were usually used" functions as a passive construction indicating a typical or common practice in the past. Ludwig confirms its correctness. The auxiliary verb "were" and the adverb "usually" modify the past participle "used", specifying that the action occurred commonly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were usually used" is a grammatically sound and commonly employed phrase to describe past practices or conventions. Ludwig confirms that it is appropriate for a variety of contexts, ranging from scientific writing to news reporting. The passive voice construction indicates that the action of using something was typical or standard. While generally neutral in register, it can lean towards formality depending on the surrounding text. When writing, consider whether an active voice construction might provide greater clarity. Furthermore, a range of synonyms are available to add nuance or formality to your writing, such as "were commonly employed" or "were generally utilized".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were commonly employed

Replaces 'usually' with 'commonly,' emphasizing the frequency and typicality of use.

were generally utilized

Substitutes 'usually' with 'generally' and 'used' with 'utilized,' giving a slightly more formal tone.

were typically applied

Changes 'used' to 'applied,' focusing on the action of applying something in a typical manner.

were customarily adopted

Replaces 'usually' with 'customarily' and 'used' with 'adopted,' suggesting a practice based on custom.

were frequently implemented

Uses 'frequently' instead of 'usually' and 'implemented' instead of 'used,' highlighting frequent execution or application.

were regularly exercised

Replaces 'used' with 'exercised,' indicating a consistent and routine practice.

were widely practiced

Changes 'used' to 'practiced,' focusing on the breadth of adoption or implementation.

were normally operated

Substitutes 'usually' with 'normally' and 'used' with 'operated,' emphasizing the standard way something is operated.

were traditionally reserved

Replaces 'usually' with 'traditionally' and 'used' with 'reserved,' indicating something kept for a specific purpose based on tradition.

had been the norm

Shifts the phrasing to express that something was the standard or typical practice.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were usually used" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "were commonly employed" or "were generally utilized" to convey a similar meaning with a heightened level of formality.

What's the difference between "were usually used" and "were often used"?

While both phrases indicate frequency, "were usually used" suggests a more standard or typical practice, whereas "were often used" simply implies that something was used frequently, but not necessarily as a standard practice.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "were usually used"?

While "were usually used" is in the passive voice, sometimes using the active voice can add clarity and specificity. For example, instead of "Traditional methods were usually used", you could say "Craftsmen usually used traditional methods".

What are some synonyms for "were usually used" that aren't as common?

Less common but still valid synonyms include "were customarily adopted" or "were traditionally reserved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.