In English, the phrase as per usual can create confusion, especially in daily conversations, offices, restaurants, classrooms, or group chats. From my experience guiding English learners and writers, this expression is often unnoticed, yet it subtly affects language understanding, communication clarity, and writing clarity. Observing its phrase meaning, expression usage, semantic meaning, and contextual meaning ensures proper English usage, improves sentence usage, and strengthens skills in English writing, practical examples, and instructional content.
People commonly use as per usual in casual speech, such as “He ordered the same burger, as per usual” or “The meeting started late, as per usual.” While widely understood, some grammar enthusiasts and editors find it redundant, favoring simpler alternatives like as usual. Awareness of grammar rules, language rules, and careful sentence usage helps English learners handle this expression correctly. Relying on learning guides, instructional guides, and educational explanations develops linguistic awareness, practical understanding, communication skill, and vocabulary awareness, boosting writing practice and professional writing.
Correct use of as per usual requires attention to contextual usage, language clarity, and expression interpretation. Drawing on real-world examples, instructional content, and educational guides helps writers determine when the phrase fits the sentence and context. Over time, focusing on writing knowledge, sentence formation, writing improvement, and English grammar awareness allows English learners to confidently use this phrase in communication, professional writing, and everyday conversations without hesitation or second-guessing.
What Does “As Per Usual” Mean?
At its core, “as per usual” means “as normally happens.” It describes something predictable or routine.
When someone uses the phrase, they highlight a repeated pattern. The action feels familiar because it happens regularly.
Examples make this clearer:
• “She arrived early, as per usual.”
• “The coffee machine broke again, as per usual.”
• “He forgot his keys, as per usual.”
In each sentence, the speaker points out a habit or consistent behavior.
The phrase combines three words that already relate to routine.
| Word | Meaning | Function |
| As | In the same way | Shows similarity |
| Per | According to | Indicates agreement with something |
| Usual | Normal or typical | Refers to routine |
Together they create the meaning:
“In the same way according to what is normal.”
That layered meaning explains why the phrase sometimes feels repetitive.
However, everyday language often prioritizes rhythm and familiarity over strict efficiency. Many expressions survive simply because they sound natural.
Understanding “Per Usual” and Its Usage
To fully understand “as per usual,” you need to look at the smaller phrase inside it: “per usual.”
What Does “Per” Mean?
The word per comes from Latin. It generally means “according to” or “in accordance with.”
You’ll often see it in formal instructions.
Examples include:
• Per your request, I attached the document.
• Per company policy, refunds require a receipt.
• Per the agreement, payment arrives within 30 days.
In these cases, per refers to rules or directions.
However, everyday language reshaped the word in interesting ways.
How “Per Usual” Became an Idiom
The phrase “per usual” likely evolved from longer expressions such as:
• As per the usual routine
• As per the usual practice
Over time, speakers shortened the phrase for convenience. Eventually, “per usual” became an informal idiom meaning “as usual.”
Now people use it frequently in casual conversation.
Examples:
• “The train was late, per usual.”
• “He forgot his wallet, per usual.”
• “Traffic was terrible this morning, per usual.”
The tone often feels slightly humorous or sarcastic. It suggests the speaker expected the event to happen.
Imagine someone saying:
“My laptop froze during the presentation, per usual.”
That sentence carries a hint of frustration and humor at the same time.
Is “As Per Usual” Grammatically Correct?
Here’s the honest answer.
Yes, the phrase is understandable and not technically incorrect. Native speakers recognize it instantly.
However, many grammar experts discourage it because it repeats the same idea.
To see why, compare three similar expressions.
| Phrase | Meaning | Style |
| As usual | Normal routine | Standard |
| Per usual | Informal expression | Casual |
| As per usual | Repetitive wording | Conversational |
Professional writers usually choose “as usual.”
Example comparison:
Original sentence:
“The report arrived late, as per usual.”
Improved sentence:
“The report arrived late, as usual.”
Both sentences mean the same thing. The second version simply uses fewer words.
Editors value clarity and conciseness, which is why shorter phrasing wins.
Why “As Per Usual” Sounds Redundant
Language experts often analyze phrases by examining each word’s function.
Let’s break the phrase down.
| Component | Meaning |
| As | In the same manner |
| Per | According to |
| Usual | Typical routine |
When combined, the phrase roughly translates to:
“In the same manner according to the typical routine.”
The overlap becomes obvious.
• “As” already indicates similarity.
• “Per” also signals agreement or conformity.
Using both creates unnecessary duplication.
Here’s another example.
Original sentence:
“He forgot his homework, as per usual.”
Cleaner version:
“He forgot his homework, as usual.”
The shorter sentence feels sharper. Readers process it faster.
Strong writing often follows a simple rule:
Say exactly what you mean and nothing extra.
Real-World Examples of “Per Usual” and “As Per Usual”
Understanding grammar becomes easier when you see phrases used in real situations.
Everyday Conversation
People commonly use the phrase in casual speech.
Examples:
• “My brother ate the last slice of pizza, per usual.”
• “The cat jumped on the keyboard, as per usual.”
• “He spilled coffee on his shirt, per usual.”
The tone here feels relaxed and friendly.
The phrase highlights predictable habits.
Workplace Communication
Professional writing usually favors clearer phrasing.
Example email:
Original:
“The weekly report arrived late, as per usual.”
Edited version:
“The weekly report arrived late, as usual.”
The second sentence sounds more polished.
Clarity matters in professional settings because readers value direct communication.
Social Media Examples
Social platforms encourage informal language.
Posts often include phrases like “per usual.”
Examples:
• “My alarm didn’t ring this morning, per usual.”
• “The weather app was wrong again, per usual.”
• “My cat demanded breakfast at dawn, per usual.”
These posts often carry humor or mild sarcasm.
Comparing “Per Usual,” “As Usual,” and “Similarly”
These expressions may appear similar, yet they serve different purposes.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
| As usual | Describes routine | The bus arrived late, as usual |
| Per usual | Informal idiom | He forgot his keys, per usual |
| Similarly | Shows comparison | She loves tea; similarly, her sister enjoys coffee |
Notice something important.
“Similarly” does not describe routine. Instead, it compares two related situations.
Example:
“She wakes up early every day. Similarly, her roommate starts work at sunrise.”
That sentence compares habits rather than repeating a pattern.
Understanding “As Per” vs “Per”
Many writers also wonder about the difference between “as per” and “per.”
Both appear in formal communication.
Meaning of “As Per”
The phrase “as per” means “in accordance with.”
It often appears in business emails.
Examples:
• As per your request, the file is attached.
• As per the contract, payment arrives Friday.
• As per company policy, ID badges are required.
The phrase sounds polite and professional.
Meaning of “Per”
“Per” works as a shorter alternative.
Examples:
• Per your request, the document is attached.
• Per policy, employees must wear badges.
Many modern writers prefer per because it sounds concise.
When “As Per” and “Per” Are Interchangeable
In many situations, both phrases communicate the same idea.
| Sentence with As Per | Sentence with Per |
| As per your instructions, the report was updated | Per your instructions, the report was updated |
| As per the agreement, delivery occurs Monday | Per the agreement, delivery occurs Monday |
The difference mainly involves tone and style.
“As per” sounds slightly more formal.
“Per” feels shorter and modern.
Better Alternatives to “As Per Usual”
Professional writing often replaces the phrase with clearer wording.
Here are stronger alternatives:
• As usual
• Typically
• Normally
• As expected
• In the usual manner
Example revisions:
Original sentence:
“As per usual, the store opened late.”
Improved sentence:
“As usual, the store opened late.”
Another example:
Original:
“As per usual, he finished the assignment at midnight.”
Improved:
“Typically, he finishes the assignment at midnight.”
Clear wording improves readability and professionalism.
Context Guide: Which Phrase Should You Use?
The right phrase depends on tone and context.
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
| As usual | Neutral | Formal and informal writing |
| Per usual | Casual | Conversation and social media |
| As per usual | Informal | Spoken language |
For most writing tasks, “as usual” remains the safest choice.
Common Grammar Questions Related to Everyday English Phrases
Language questions often appear alongside expressions like “as per usual.”
Understanding these topics helps improve overall communication.
Is It Correct to Say “You Are Cordially Invited”?
Yes. This phrase appears frequently in formal invitations.
Example:
“You are cordially invited to attend the annual charity dinner.”
The phrase communicates politeness and respect.
What Is a Complex Sentence?
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Example:
“Although the rain stopped, the streets remained flooded.”
The dependent clause adds context while the independent clause delivers the main idea.
Complex sentences allow writers to connect ideas smoothly.
What Is a Declarative Sentence?
A declarative sentence simply states information.
Examples include:
• The meeting begins at noon.
• She finished the report yesterday.
• The train arrives at platform four.
Most everyday communication uses declarative sentences.
Is It Correct to Say “How May I Help You?”
Yes. Businesses commonly use this phrase when greeting customers.
Example:
“Hello. How may I help you today?”
The wording sounds polite and professional.
“Special Thanks Go To” or “Special Thanks Goes To”?
The correct form is “special thanks go to.”
The noun thanks functions as plural.
Example:
“Special thanks go to the volunteers who organized the event.”
“Me and My Family” vs “My Family and I”
The grammatically correct version is “my family and I.”
Example:
“My family and I visited the museum yesterday.”
English convention places the speaker last in the list.
Conclusion
Using as per usual correctly depends on understanding its phrase meaning, contextual usage, and expression interpretation. While it is widely understood in daily conversations, offices, and social settings, some consider it redundant, favoring as usual. By paying attention to grammar rules, language rules, and sentence usage, English learners can confidently include it in their writing, communication, and professional emails. Regular practice, reference to learning guides, and careful observation of practical examples enhance language understanding, communication clarity, and overall writing improvement.
FAQs
Q1. Is “as per usual” grammatically correct?
Yes, as per usual is widely understood and can be used in casual speech, but some editors consider it redundant and prefer as usual in formal writing.
Q2. When should I use “as per usual” versus “as usual”?
Use as per usual in casual conversations or informal contexts. For formal writing, emails, or professional documents, as usual is simpler and clearer.
Q3. Can I use “as per usual” in professional emails?
Yes, but use it sparingly. It is better to prefer as usual to maintain clarity and avoid redundancy in professional writing.
Q4. Why do some people find “as per usual” redundant?
Because as per usual essentially means the same as as usual, making it longer than necessary and sometimes unnecessarily formal for casual contexts.
Q5. How can I practice using “as per usual” correctly?
Practice by reading real-world examples, referring to instructional guides, and applying it in daily conversations, writing exercises, and professional emails.
Q6. Does using “as per usual” improve English skills?
Yes, when used correctly, it enhances phrase meaning understanding, contextual usage awareness, and overall communication clarity in both writing and speech.
