I'm Alice Bryant.

For some English learners, it is easy to confuse the adverb, usually with the modal verb used thio.

They sound somewhat similar, used Thio usually, and both deal with habitual actions or states.

But there is a key difference.

So let's talk about that today.

The modal verb used Teoh is about past habits or states.

The adverb usually is about present habits or states.

Listen to this speaker talk about the past.

When I was a teen, my friends and I used to jump into the water from cliffs as high as 50 ft.

We used to be fearless.

Those were crazy times, but a lot of fun.

The speaker uses the modal verb used Thio to describe a repeated action in the past cliff jumping.

He also uses it to describe a past state he and his friends lack of fear Used.

Thio indicates that none of these things are still true Now.

Next, listen to the speaker talk about present times.

I'm a lot older now.

I do not usually jump off of cliffs anymore, but when I do, they are usually less than 20 ft high, and I'm usually a bit scared here.

The speaker uses the adverb usually to describe his present habits and mind state.

I hope this helps you remember the differences between these tricky words, and that's everyday grammar.