How to use "constantly"

What Does "constantly" Mean?

• What it expresses: Frequency and time. It denotes that an action or state occurs continuously over a period of time or recurs so regularly that it seems uninterrupted.
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: It primarily modifies verbs (actions), adjectives (states), and occasionally participles used as adjectives.
• Register: Neutral. It is equally appropriate in casual conversation, journalism, and formal academic writing.

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions: The most natural position is mid-position (between the subject and the main verb, or after the first auxiliary verb). However, it can also appear in the initial position for emphasis or the final position for rhythmic balance.
• What it modifies: When modifying a verb, it suggests a repetitive or habitual action (e.g., "he constantly complains"). When modifying an adjective, it intensifies the state, often implying a process of change (e.g., "constantly evolving").
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted for dramatic effect and is frequently used with the present continuous tense to express a sense of persistence or even annoyance. It functions well in questions and with negation, though it typically precedes the negative particle in many structures.
• What sounds unnatural: Placing it between a verb and its direct object usually sounds awkward (e.g., "He reads constantly books" is incorrect; "He constantly reads books" is correct).

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from constantly on Ludwig.guru.

"Constantly checking my phone not only makes me bad company (sorry friends), but it makes me worry that there's something I'm missing or something I've failed to cover in one of my stories." — theguardian.com

"Whenever the topic of the vast – and constantly expanding – wealth gap comes up for debate, it seems as if someone is always itching for the opportunity to resurrect those words, culminating in Fitzgerald's observation that the wealthy "think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are"." — theguardian.com

"The cooking is creative without being tortured, delicious without being safe, a constantly evolving thrill-ride." — theguardian.com

"But the main reason no one comes round is because it constantly smells of pee." — theguardian.com

"Following news reports of the allegations, Couchsurfing said that users' safety was a top priority and that it was constantly "evolving our tools and processes to find and halt abusers of our system"." — theguardian.com

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/constantly

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
continually	Very similar, but often implies a sequence of repeated actions with short breaks in between.
continuously	More precise; implies an action that never stops for a single moment.
perpetually	More formal and literary; suggests something that lasts forever or for an indefinitely long time.
all the time	Informal and idiomatic; typically placed at the end of a sentence.
incessantly	Often carries a negative connotation, suggesting something unpleasant that won't stop.
persistently	Focuses on the determination or the refusal to stop despite obstacles.

Common Mistakes

• Word Order: Learners often misplace it in the sentence, forgetting that frequency adverbs usually go before the main verb but after the auxiliary 'be'. For example, "He is constantly late" is correct, while "He constantly is late" is less common.
• Overuse for emphasis: In professional writing, using it too often can make prose feel hyperbolic; sometimes "regularly" or "frequently" is more accurate.
• Splitting the infinitive: While widely accepted in modern English, some strict grammarians dislike "to constantly improve," preferring "constantly to improve."

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
constantly	Expresses high frequency/duration	Neutral	Mid-position (before main verb)

FAQs

Where in a sentence should constantly appear?

The adverb usually occupies the mid-position, which means it sits before the main verb or after the verb to be. For instance, you should say "She constantly works" or "She is constantly working."

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What is the difference between constantly and continually?

While often used interchangeably, constantly suggests a state that is always present or very frequent. In contrast, continually often refers to actions that start and stop but recur at regular intervals over a long period.

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Why is my word order with constantly being corrected?

Learners often misplace it in the sentence, forgetting that frequency adverbs usually go before the main verb but after the auxiliary 'be'. To ensure clarity, place constantly directly before the action it modifies unless using the verb 'to be'.