Per Usual vs As Per Usual? What is the Difference?

While these phrases might seem like they are the same, they are slightly different. Although they are slightly different from each other, they do share many of the same properties and can be used interchangeably. If you use one in place of the other, it won’t dramatically change the meaning of the sentence.

Per usual is meant to suggest things are according to the usual. As per usual is meant to suggest that things are to the same degree as usual. The one thing these phrases have in common is they should be avoided in formal writing.

Per Usual Meaning and Use

Per usual is used far less frequently than as per usual. Per usual just means that things are going how they usually go. It is also used as a synonym to the word similarly. Similarly is preferred over per usual because it flows better and makes more sense in conversation.

Example Uses
The meeting started right on time, per usual for the manager.

Per usual, you walked into work thirty minutes late this morning.

As Per Usual Meaning and Use

As per usual is commonly used in the business world to let others know that something is going to be done the same way it always is. It is used informally and should not be used in formal writing at all.

When using this phrase, you can do so with both your friends and colleagues, but it technically isn’t proper English. This is why it should be avoided in formal situations.

Example Uses
We intended to have the meeting as per usual.

As per usual, mowing the lawn was postponed due to the rain.

As Usual vs As Per Usual

As usual is the proper way to say that something is happening the way it always does or is the same as it always has been in English. As per usual means the same thing, but it isn’t considered proper and should only be used in informal situations.

When using these phrases in informal conversation, they can be used in place of each other. Their meanings are very similar to each other, so it won’t make much of a difference which phrase you use.

As Per vs Per

As per means that something is happening the way it was planned or the way it usually goes. For example, as per the instructions, we sent a witness to the court.

Per can mean for each. For example, gas costs $2.00 per gallon. Per also means according to. You will likely see the phrase “per my instructions” when someone is explaining a process to you.

As per and per both also refer the word “according”. When used alone, these phrases mean almost the same thing. They can be used in place of each other, but as per is considered more proper and used more frequently than per.

If Not These, Then What?

Per usual and as per usual are not considered to be proper English and should be avoided in formal writing like legal documents or contracts. However, there are some other phrases that you can use in their place.

The proper way of saying that things are going to be done the same way as normal is to use as usual or per the usual. Some other synonyms include normally, often, regularly, typically, regularly, similarly, and customarily.

Examples
As usual, the lawyers provided their services at a discounted rate.

We normally do it this way, so let’s keep it to avoid confusion.

The accounts are regularly checked for accuracy.

Similarly, we always send messages this way.

Conor