As Usual in English Grammar: What It Means and How to Use It

If you're learning English, you may have come across the phrase "as usual." This common expression can be a little confusing, especially if you're not sure when or how to use it. In this article, we'll explain what "as usual" means, how to use it correctly, and provide some examples to help you understand its usage.

Table of Contents:

• What Does "As Usual" Mean?
• Using "As Usual" in a Sentence
• Examples of "As Usual"
• Similar Expressions to "As Usual"
• Common Mistakes with "As Usual"
• Tips for Using "As Usual" Correctly
• When Not to Use "As Usual"
• Practice Exercises
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Conclusion

What Does "As Usual" Mean?

"As usual" is an idiomatic expression that means something is typical or usual. It's often used to indicate that a situation or event is expected, predictable, or happens regularly. In other words, it describes something that occurs repeatedly or habitually.

Using "As Usual" in a Sentence:

"As usual" is usually used in the middle of a sentence, to describe something that is happening or has happened. It can be used in both positive and negative situations. Here are some examples:

• As usual, I woke up early and went for a run.
• John was late for the meeting, as usual.
• The restaurant was crowded, as usual.
• I forgot my keys, as usual.

Examples of "As Usual":

Let's look at some more examples of "as usual" in context:

• Sarah is always the first one to arrive at work, as usual.
• The traffic on this road is terrible, as usual.
• As usual, my phone died just when I needed it.
• Our team lost the game, as usual.

Similar Expressions to "As Usual":

There are a few similar expressions to "as usual" that you might also come across in English. Here are some of them:

• As expected
• Typically
• Normally
• Generally
• Customarily

Common Mistakes with "As Usual":

One common mistake with "as usual" is to use it when something is not actually typical or usual. For example:

• I won the lottery, as usual. (This doesn't make sense because winning the lottery is not a typical or usual event.)

Another mistake is to use "as usual" in a way that doesn't fit the context of the sentence. For example:

• The sun is shining, as usual. (This doesn't make sense if it's raining outside.)

Tips for Using "As Usual" Correctly:

To use "as usual" correctly, you should:

• Make sure the situation you're describing is actually typical or usual.
• Use "as usual" in the middle of a sentence to describe something that is happening or has happened.
• Use "as usual" in a way that fits the context of the sentence.
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When Not to Use "As Usual":

You should avoid using "as usual" when:

• The situation you're describing is not typical or usual.
• You're not sure if the situation is typical or usual.
• You're trying to describe something that is happening for the first time.

Practice Exercises:

Here are some exercises to help you practice using "as usual" correctly:

1) Complete the sentence: "I'm always late for meetings, ____."

• Which sentence is correct?
• "As usual, I didn't have any coffee this morning."
• "As usual, it's raining today."
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2) Rewrite the sentence using "as usual": "I lost my keys again, like every day."

• Which sentence is correct?
• "As usual, the sun is shining today."
• "As usual, the train was delayed this morning."
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Can "as usual" be used in formal writing?

   • Yes, "as usual" can be used in formal writing. However, it's more commonly used in informal or conversational settings.
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2. Is "as usual" a negative expression?

   • No, "as usual" can be used in both positive and negative situations. It simply describes something that is typical or usual.
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3. Can "as usual" be used to describe people?

   • Yes, "as usual" can be used to describe people's habits or behaviors. For example, "As usual, Sarah arrived at work early."
   • 
     

4. Is "as usual" a fixed expression?

   • Yes, "as usual" is a fixed expression. It's not usually interchangeable with other phrases or expressions.
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5. Can "as usual" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

   • While it's possible to use "as usual" at the beginning of a sentence, it's more common to use it in the middle of a sentence to describe something that is happening or has happened.

Conclusion:

"As usual" is a common expression in English that describes something that is typical or usual. It's used to indicate that a situation or event is expected, predictable, or happens regularly. By understanding how to use "as usual" correctly, you can improve your English language skills and communicate more effectively in both informal and formal settings.

If you enjoyed this short post and found it helpful, we encourage you to read more posts on our blog. We offer a variety of writing and grammar-related topics that can help you improve your writing skills, including tips on how to write effective sentences, how to use punctuation marks correctly, and how to avoid common grammar mistakes.

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