As usual means in the same way as always. You use it about one particular occasion that repeated what normally happens: As usual, the train was late. The phrase often carries a note of mild annoyance or irony.
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As usual, + clause; clause + , as usual; than usual (comparisons); business as usual
- As usual, Mark was the last to arrive at the meeting, with a coffee in his hand.
- We had dinner at the same little café near the station, as usual.
- On holiday I planned to sleep in, but as usual I woke up at seven.
What changed
First versionAs usually, the meeting started ten minutes late.
RevisionAs usual, the meeting started ten minutes late.
Because the idea is what usually happens, it is tempting to use the adverb usually. But in this fixed phrase, as is followed by usual without -ly. Usually was changed to usual.
Usually without as describes a habit in general: I usually walk to work. As usual refers to one occasion that repeated the habit: This morning, as usual, I walked to work. Comparisons also need usual: The office is quieter than usual today.
Your turn
Our train was twenty minutes late this morning, ___.
Show the answer
as usual — The sentence is about one morning, and the speaker adds that this always happens. That is as usual. Usually describes a habit in general (The train is usually late) and is not added at the end of a story about one particular occasion.
Describe a recent day at work or in your studies. Say what happened as usual and what was different.
Last Monday I started work at nine as usual, but for once I left the office early to see a film.
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