always
/ˈɔːl.weɪz/ IELTSAcademic
adverb
At all times; on every occasion. It means something happens without exception, or very often in the same way.
- She always arrives early.
- I always drink tea in the morning.
- He is always kind to everyone.
Adinary Nuance
Always is stronger than usually, often, or regularly because it suggests every time or all the time. It is less flexible than often: if something happens most of the time but not every time, always may sound inaccurate. Writers choose always when they want to show certainty, habit, or a constant quality.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- luôn luôn
- Spanish
- siempre
- Chinese
- 总是
- Japanese
- いつも
- Korean
- 항상
Etymology
Old English alwaysse, from all and ways, meaning “in every way” or “at all times.” The modern spelling developed later in Middle English.
Common phrases
always and foreveralways the samealways there for someonealways on time
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is always formal or informal?
- Always is neutral. You can use it in speaking, writing, school work, and business English.
- What is the difference between always and usually?
- Always means every time or all the time. Usually means most of the time, but not every time.
- Can I use always with the present continuous?
- Yes. It often shows annoyance or surprise, as in “He is always interrupting.”
- Is always common in IELTS writing?
- Yes, but use it carefully. It is strong, so do not use it when you mean only often or usually.