As Usual – Meaning and Examples
Does your friend always arrive late? You might say, “He’s late, as usual.” This common phrase helps us talk about things that happen regularly. The idiom as usual describes a situation that is typical or expected based on past experience. Learning this phrase will help you describe habits and routines easily.
What Does “As Usual” Mean?
“As usual” means in the way that happens most of the time or is typical. It refers to a repeated action or a normal state.
Think of it like this: The sun rises every morning. You can say, “The sun rose, as usual.” It is a predictable, regular event.
Remember, it is not about something new or surprising. It is about what normally happens.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom in many everyday situations.
- Daily Routines: “He drank coffee with breakfast, as usual.”
- Habits: “She forgot her keys, as usual.”
- Work or School: “The meeting started late, as usual.”
The tone is neutral but can sometimes express a little frustration or humor. It works in both informal and neutral conversations.
Example Sentences
- My brother was the last one to arrive, as usual.
- She was right about the answer, as usual.
- The bus is late, as usual.
- He ordered pizza for dinner, as usual.
Mini Dialogue
Mom: “Where is your sister? Dinner is ready.”
Brother: “She’s on the phone with her friend, as usual.”
Mom: “Okay, tell her to come to the table, as usual!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is confusing “as usual” with “usually.” “Usually” is an adverb that describes how often something happens, while “as usual” refers to a specific instance that is typical.
❌ Don’t say: “He as usual eats breakfast at 8 AM.” (This is grammatically incorrect).
✅ Do say: “He ate breakfast at 8 AM, as usual.” OR “He usually eats breakfast at 8 AM.”
Practice Tip
Notice one thing that happens regularly today. Then, tell someone about it using “as usual.” For example, “My coworker is drinking coffee, as usual.”
Final Note
This is a simple and very common phrase. It helps you talk about the world around you in a natural way. Use it to share observations about habits and routines. You will hear and use it often!
