al·ways
Pronounced:
/ˈɑ:lˌweɪz/
Function:
adverbMeaning:
1 a : at all times : on every occasion : in a way that does not change ▪ He always tries, but he doesn't always succeed. ▪ It's always a pleasure to see you. ▪ I can always tell when he's upset. ▪ He's always [=constantly] looking for ways to make money. ▪ She's almost always smiling. ▪ This area is always filled with tourists. ▪ You should always (remember to) wear your seat belt. ▪ The holidays are always a very busy time for us. = (less commonly) The holidays always are a very busy time for us. ▪ Things won't always go as planned. ▪ You're always welcome to stay with us. —opposite never b : at all times in the past ▪ He has always been a good friend to me. ▪ They didn't always get along so well. [=they get along now, but they didn't like each other in the past] ▪ It hasn't always been easy for him. [=difficult or sad things have happened to him] ▪ He could always make me angry. = He always could make me angry. [=he often made me angry]
2 : throughout all time : for a very long time: such as a : forever into the future ▪ I'll remember you always. [=forever] ▪ You'll always be my best friend. = You're my best friend, and you always will be. ▪ Life won't always be this easy. b : forever in the past : from the beginning of the time that can be remembered ▪ I've always loved you. ▪ I always thought they'd get married some day, but they never did. ▪ Isn't that what you've always wanted? ▪ She always wanted to be famous. ▪ It has always been my goal to have my own business. ▪ He's always been a firm believer in hard work. = He's a firm believer in hard work, and he always has been.
3 : often, frequently, or repeatedly ▪ We always tell people not to arrive too early. ▪ My parents always told me not to speak to strangers. —often used to describe repeated behavior that is annoying ▪ She's always calling me by the wrong name. ▪ Must you always be so rude?! ▪ He always tells such funny stories. = He's always telling such funny stories.
4 —used to suggest another possibility ▪ If we don't win today, there's always tomorrow. [=we might win tomorrow] —usually used after can or could ▪ If she doesn't answer the phone now, you can/could always try (calling) again later. ▪ If you don't have enough money now, you can always use your credit card.
2 : throughout all time : for a very long time: such as a : forever into the future ▪ I'll remember you always. [=forever] ▪ You'll always be my best friend. = You're my best friend, and you always will be. ▪ Life won't always be this easy. b : forever in the past : from the beginning of the time that can be remembered ▪ I've always loved you. ▪ I always thought they'd get married some day, but they never did. ▪ Isn't that what you've always wanted? ▪ She always wanted to be famous. ▪ It has always been my goal to have my own business. ▪ He's always been a firm believer in hard work. = He's a firm believer in hard work, and he always has been.
3 : often, frequently, or repeatedly ▪ We always tell people not to arrive too early. ▪ My parents always told me not to speak to strangers. —often used to describe repeated behavior that is annoying ▪ She's always calling me by the wrong name. ▪ Must you always be so rude?! ▪ He always tells such funny stories. = He's always telling such funny stories.
4 —used to suggest another possibility ▪ If we don't win today, there's always tomorrow. [=we might win tomorrow] —usually used after can or could ▪ If she doesn't answer the phone now, you can/could always try (calling) again later. ▪ If you don't have enough money now, you can always use your credit card.
as always
—used to say that something was expected because it always happens ▪ As always, dinner was delicious. [=dinner was delicious, as it always is] ▪ Your children, as always, were very well-behaved. [=your children were well-behaved, as they always are]