CEVAPLA - English

”usually” describes something that occurs/happens most of the time or frequently.

”habitually” talks about something which is done by habit, i.e. something you do that is acquired and which you do frequently/most of the time.

”usually” and ”habitually” could be used as synonyms. The main difference is that ”usually” would be used in either semi-formal or formal language. ”habitually” is limited to formal language. Don’t try to say ”I habitually get up at 7am”.

However, ”usually” has a much wider meaning which goes beyond habits. So:

”It usually snows at Christmas in the north.” A correct sentence. Snow at Christmas in the north is a frequent weather event in the north in December or January.

”It habitually snows at Christmas in the north.” Incorrect. Snow in the north is a meteorological phenomenon which often occurs in December or January and the result of this is that it’s snowing frequently during Christmas. The action of snowing is not a habit.