always
/ˈɔːlweɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɔːlweɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈȯl-wēz -wəz, -(ˌ)wāz also ˈȯ-/ (ame, mw)
always — 副詞
1. on each occasion, or during the whole time being talked about.
總是；每次
每次都如此，或整段時間都如此
on each occasion, or during the whole time being talked about.
Nina always locks the back door before she goes to bed.
Nina 睡前總是會把後門鎖上。
always + main verb in a habit
The upstairs hall is always dark after the children sleep.
孩子們睡著後，樓上的走廊總是很暗。
be always + adjective
On market days, the village square is always full by noon.
逢市集日，村子廣場到中午總是滿滿的人。
My phone always rings during dinner when Aunt May calls.
Aunt May 一打來，我吃晚餐時手機總是會響。
The baby always smiles at the fish tank lights.
寶寶每次看到魚缸的燈都會笑。
- every time
emphasizes separate occasions more clearly
- constantly
stronger when something seems to have no break
- invariably
more formal and stresses no exceptions
文法句型
always + main verb
be always + adjective
always + verb + time phrase
用法筆記
Usually comes before the main verb and after 'be'. Distinguish from sense 5 ANNOYINGLY OFTEN, which often uses the progressive and adds irritation.
常見錯誤
2. for the whole future, without ever ending.
永遠
往後任何時候都不變
for the whole future, without ever ending.
In her note, Eva wrote that she would love him always.
Eva 在紙條上寫著，她會永遠愛他。
would + verb + always for lasting feeling
The names on the bridge will stay there always.
橋上的那些名字會永遠留在那裡。
always at clause end
After that summer, Luca said he would remember the lake always.
那個夏天過後，Luca 說他會永遠記得那座湖。
Mara kept her mother's ring and promised to wear it always.
Mara 留著母親的戒指，並答應會永遠戴著它。
- forever
the usual everyday alternative
- eternally
more literary and stronger in tone
- permanently
focuses on lasting change rather than emotion
- temporarily
describes something that lasts only for a limited time
- for a while
suggests a period with an end
文法句型
will + always + verb
would + verb + always
verb + object + always
用法筆記
Often appears at the end of the clause, especially in emotional promises, memories, and formal-sounding statements. In ordinary conversation, 'forever' is often the more neutral alternative.
常見錯誤
3. from earlier in life up to now, with no break in between.
向來；一直
從過去到現在都如此
from earlier in life up to now, with no break in between.
My grandparents have always grown oranges behind the house.
我祖父母向來都在屋後種柳丁。
have always + past participle
Rita has always wanted a red bicycle with a basket.
Rita 一直都想要一台有籃子的紅色腳踏車。
Since primary school, Ben has always trusted his art teacher.
Ben 從國小起就一直信任他的美術老師。
I had always believed the old well was deeper.
我以前一直以為那口老井更深。
Our street has always flooded after heavy summer rain.
我們這條街遇到夏天大雨向來都會淹水。
- all along
often appears when looking back on a continuing fact
- for years
names a long period directly, but not every long period is still true now
- ever since
needs a starting point such as 'ever since high school'
文法句型
have always + past participle
has always + verb
had always + past participle
用法筆記
Common with the present perfect or past perfect when a feeling, belief, or situation began in the past and still matters at the time being described. Distinguish from sense 1 EVERY TIME, which can describe a regular habit without focusing on the past-to-now span.
常見錯誤
4. after can or could, used to offer a different action someone may take.
也可以
提出另一個可行做法
after can or could, used to offer a different action someone may take.
If the bus is late, we can always walk from the station.
如果公車誤點，我們也可以從車站走回去。
can always + verb as backup plan
You could always ask Ms. Lin for a quieter desk.
你也可以去問 Lin 老師，看能不能換到比較安靜的座位。
could always + verb for suggestion
If tonight feels crowded, we can always meet tomorrow morning.
如果今晚太擠了，我們也可以明天早上再見。
Leo could always send the file after soccer practice.
Leo 也可以在足球練習後再把檔案寄出去。
- instead
suggests a different choice, but sounds less reassuring
- alternatively
more formal and common in careful speech or writing
- as a backup
makes the plan-B idea very explicit
文法句型
can always + verb
could always + verb
if ..., can always ...
用法筆記
Usually follows can or could and introduces a practical backup plan, not a repeated action. The tone is often reassuring, helpful, or gently persuasive.
常見錯誤
5. used to say something happens so often that it bothers the speaker.
老是；老愛
常常這樣，帶不耐煩語氣
used to say something happens so often that it bothers the speaker.
Mr. Clark is always losing his glasses in the kitchen.
Clark 先生老是把眼鏡丟在廚房。
be always + -ing for annoyance
That printer is always jamming before our Monday staff meeting.
那台印表機老是會在我們週一開會前卡紙。
My little brother is always borrowing my charger without asking.
我弟弟老愛不先問就借走我的充電器。
The upstairs tap was always dripping when I tried to sleep.
我想睡覺時，樓上的水龍頭老是一直滴水。
Why are you always leaving wet towels on the floor?
你怎麼老是把濕毛巾丟在地板上？
- constantly
can also show repeated action, but may sound less emotional
- forever
informal exaggeration often heard in complaints
- continually
more formal and not always negative
- occasionally
shows the action happens only from time to time
- once in a while
an informal way to say it happens only sometimes
文法句型
be always + -ing
always + happening
why are you always + -ing?
用法筆記
Common with the progressive, especially 'be always + -ing', when the speaker is irritated. Distinguish from sense 1 EVERY TIME, which is neutral and does not itself sound like a complaint.