Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[puzzle]

Dear teachers,
Can you tell me the differences between "as ever"& "as usual"?
eg. He seems to be as busy _______.
A. as ever B. as usual
Which is right?

Thank you very much!

[IanT]

In this sentence, you need "as busy as ever", because we wouldn't say "as busy as usual".

As usual is used more after a comma: "He was busy, as usual." (As ever can be used this way too)

For meaning, not much difference. To me, if you say "as ever", it sounds like the other person already knows the situation, and if you say "as usual" it's slightly more possible that you're giving new information.

But maybe that's just me. Certainly not a rule.

Hope helps,
ian
_________________
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www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.

You decide the price for both!

[puzzle]

Thank you very much. You helped me a lot . I see it this way: "as ...as ever " is a set phrase and "as usual" is used seperately.