as a rule
More often than
As a rule means generally or usually—what happens in most cases, with room for exceptions: As a rule, I don't drink coffee after noon.
The phrase signals that something is standard practice or typical behavior, not an absolute law: As a rule, the trains run on time here.
Most of the time
- typicallyIn the usual manner
- normallyIn the usual manner
- commonlyWith frequent occurrence
- ordinarilyIn the usual manner
customarily · habitually · routinely · regularly · frequently · often · mostly · largely
In an unchanging way
- invariablyWithout any exception
- reliablyIn dependable manner
- predictablyIn an expected manner
- dependablyConsistently, as expected
characteristically · persistently · unfailingly · without fail · almost always · nine times out of ten · more often than not
usually
Most of the time
ordinarily · customarily · habitually · routinely · regularly · frequently · often · mostly · largely · mainly
consistently
In an unchanging way
- invariablyWithout any exception
- reliablyIn dependable manner
- predictablyIn an expected manner
dependably · characteristically · persistently · unfailingly · without fail · almost always · nine times out of ten · more often than not
norm
Accepted behavioral standard
tradition · practice · etiquette · precedent · convention · formality · observance · usage · routine · expectation
as a rulerarely
Not often occurring
seldom · infrequently · occasionally · hardly ever · once in a while
as a ruleexceptionally
To an unusual degree
atypically · unusually · for once · anomalously · uncharacteristically
rule, ruler, rules, ruling, ruled, unruly, regulation, rulers, overrule