If you are wondering if to say “per usual” or “as per usual,” both expressions are used in English and both mean roughly “as is usual” or “as normally happens.”
However, they differ slightly in style and usage. “As per usual” is the more traditional and widely established expression, while “per usual” is a shorter, more informal alternative, especially common in American English.
For learners, the easiest choice is to use “as per usual” when you want a familiar, natural expression that works in most everyday contexts.
“Per usual” is also understandable and common, particularly in casual speech and writing. Neither expression normally changes the meaning of a sentence; the main difference is tone and formality.
Quick Answer
“Per usual” and “as per usual” both mean “as usual” or “as normally happens.” “As per usual” is the longer, more traditional expression, while “per usual” is generally more informal. For simple, natural English, “as usual” is often the clearest choice of all.
Why Do People Confuse It?
The confusion comes from the word per. In English, per commonly means “for each” or “according to,” as in:
- $10 per person
- 60 miles per hour
- as per the instructions
When people hear “as per usual,” they may wonder whether “per usual” is grammatically complete.
In actual English usage, however, “per usual” is an established informal expression. It functions as an adverbial phrase meaning “as usual.”
The two expressions can therefore appear in very similar sentences:
- As per usual, James arrived late.
- Per usual, James arrived late.
- As usual, James arrived late.
The third version is usually the simplest.
First Word: “Per Usual”
“Per usual” means “as usual” or “as normally happens.”
It is generally conversational and informal. You will often see it in casual messages, blogs, social media, and informal writing.
Examples
- Per usual, Sarah forgot her keys.
- The bus was late, per usual.
- Per usual, he ordered the same meal.
- Everything went smoothly, per usual.
Although “per usual” is widely understood, some readers may consider it less formal or less conventional than “as usual” or “as per usual.”
Second Word: “As Per Usual”
“As per usual” also means “as usual” or “as normally happens.”
It is a longer expression and has been established in English for a long time. It can be used in casual and general writing, although “as usual” is often more concise.
Examples
- As per usual, Tom was the first person to arrive.
- As per usual, the children were excited.
- The meeting started late, as per usual.
- As per usual, Maria brought homemade cookies.
One important point: “as per usual” should not be confused with “as per” followed by a noun phrase.
For example:
- As per the instructions, complete the form.
- As per our agreement, payment is due Friday.
Here, “as per” means approximately “according to.” In “as per usual,” the complete expression means “as is usual.”
Per Usual vs As Per Usual: Comparison Table
| Expression | Meaning | Typical tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| per usual | as usual | Informal | Per usual, he was late. |
| as per usual | as usual | Neutral to informal | As per usual, he was late. |
| as usual | as normally happens | Neutral and widely suitable | As usual, he was late. |
| as per | according to | Formal/business-like | As per the contract, payment is due. |
When Should You Use Each?
When to use “per usual”
Use “per usual” when you are writing or speaking casually.
It works well when the tone is relaxed:
Per usual, my brother forgot his phone.
You might use it in a text message, casual email, personal blog, or conversation.
For highly formal writing, however, “as usual” is generally a safer and simpler choice.
When to use “as per usual”
Use “as per usual” when you want the longer, established expression.
For example:
As per usual, the restaurant was crowded on Friday night.
It is perfectly understandable in everyday English, but it is not necessarily more formal simply because it contains “as per.”
When to use “as usual”
If you are unsure, choose “as usual.”
It is short, natural, and broadly appropriate:
As usual, David arrived early.
For students and ESL learners, this is often the easiest expression to remember.
12 Examples of “Per Usual” and “As Per Usual”
- Per usual, John forgot his umbrella.
- As per usual, John forgot his umbrella.
- The train was delayed, per usual.
- The train was delayed, as per usual.
- Per usual, my sister stayed up late.
- As per usual, my sister stayed up late.
- The children were noisy, per usual.
- The children were noisy, as per usual.
- Per usual, he ordered coffee instead of tea.
- As per usual, she finished her work before everyone else.
- The weather changed suddenly, as per usual.
- Per usual, we spent too much money at the market.
In every example above, you could generally replace the expression with “as usual” without changing the basic meaning.
Common Mistakes
1. Thinking “per usual” is automatically wrong
Per usual is an established expression in English. It is informal, but that does not make it grammatically meaningless.
❌ Per usual is always incorrect.
✅ Per usual is commonly used in informal English.
2. Using “as per” when you mean “as usual”
As per and as per usual do not always have the same function.
Compare:
As per the schedule, the class starts at 9 a.m.
Here, as per means “according to.”
But:
As per usual, the class started late.
Here, as per usual means “as usual.”
3. Using “per usual” in very formal writing
Although understandable, per usual can sound conversational.
In an academic paper, formal report, or professional document, “as usual” may be a cleaner choice.
4. Assuming longer means more formal
As per usual is longer than as usual, but that does not automatically make it more formal.
As usual, the meeting began at 10.
As per usual, the meeting began at 10.
The first sentence is shorter and often sounds more natural.
Memory Trick
Think:
Per usual = as usual
As per usual = as usual
If you want the simplest option, remember:
When in doubt, use “as usual.”
You can also remember that “per usual” is the shortened, casual-sounding option, while “as per usual” keeps the full expression.
American vs British English
Both “per usual” and “as per usual” can be found in English varieties on both sides of the Atlantic.
However, “per usual” is particularly familiar in informal American English, while “as per usual” is also well established in British English and other varieties.
There is no simple rule saying that one expression belongs exclusively to American English and the other exclusively to British English.
For international learners, “as usual” is the safest neutral choice because it is widely understood and does not carry the same informal flavor.
Similar Words
Several expressions can communicate the same basic idea.
As usual
The most straightforward alternative.
As usual, Emma arrived early.
Normally
Means under ordinary circumstances.
Normally, Emma arrives early.
As always
Suggests that something happens consistently.
As always, Emma arrived early.
Typically
Means something is characteristic or common.
Typically, Emma arrives early.
As is customary
Means something happens according to an established custom or practice.
As is customary, the guests were welcomed with refreshments.
These expressions are related, but they are not always interchangeable in every context.
Final Verdict
“Per usual” and “as per usual” are both used to mean “as usual.”
The main difference is style rather than meaning:
- Per usual → shorter and generally more informal
- As per usual → longer and more traditional
- As usual → simple, natural, and broadly appropriate
If you are writing for school, work, or a general audience and want the clearest option, “as usual” is an excellent choice.
If you are writing casually, “per usual” is perfectly understandable and commonly used. “As per usual” is also acceptable when that phrasing fits your style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “per usual” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Per usual” is an established informal expression meaning “as usual.” It is widely understood, although some formal contexts may favor “as usual.”
Is “as per usual” correct English?
Yes. “As per usual” is an established expression meaning “as usual” or “as normally happens.”
Which is more correct: “per usual” or “as per usual”?
Neither needs to be treated as simply right versus wrong. Both are used in English. “Per usual” is generally more informal, while “as per usual” is the longer, established form.
Is “per usual” formal or informal?
Per usual is generally considered informal. It is suitable for casual conversation and informal writing, but “as usual” is often preferable in formal writing.
Can I use “per usual” in an essay?
You can, but context matters. If the essay is formal or academic, “as usual” will usually sound more neutral and straightforward.
Does “per usual” mean “according to usual”?
No. In normal usage, “per usual” means “as usual.” It should be understood as an idiomatic expression rather than a literal combination of per + usual.
What is the simplest alternative to “per usual”?
The simplest alternative is “as usual.”
For example:
Per usual, he was late.
As usual, he was late.
Both convey the same basic idea.
Is “as per usual” more formal than “as usual”?
Not necessarily. “As per usual” is longer, but length does not automatically indicate formality. “As usual” is often the more natural choice in both everyday and formal contexts.
Remember This
Per usual = as usual
As per usual = as usual
As usual = the simplest and most neutral option
When you need to describe something that happens in the normal or expected way, “as usual” is usually the easiest phrase to choose.
Conclusion
The difference between “per usual” and “as per usual” is mainly one of style and phrasing, not basic meaning.
Both expressions describe something happening in the normal or expected way. “Per usual” tends to sound more casual, while “as per usual” is a longer, established expression.
For learners, the most useful rule is simple: use “as usual” when you want a clear, natural expression that works in almost any context.
Use “per usual” in relaxed language when its informal tone feels appropriate, and remember that “as per usual” is also a valid expression.
