I always say

USAGE SUMMARY

"I always say" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a phrase or quotation, often one that has become a proverb or cliche, as in the example: "I always say, 'Where there's a will, there's a way.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Arts

Food

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I always say it.

The New York Times - Sports

"I always say no.

The New York Times - Sports

"I always say that, though".

The New York Times - Sports

"And I always say no.

The New York Times - Arts

"I always say: 'Emilio, smile.

The New York Times - Food

"I always say..

The New York Times - Magazine

I always say this".

The New York Times

I always say "children".

The Guardian

* I always say please.

The Guardian - Sport

I always say it's optional.

The Guardian - Music

I always say the bees.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I always say" to introduce a personal philosophy or a piece of advice you frequently give. It adds a personal touch and emphasizes the importance of the statement to you.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "I always say". While it can be effective, overuse can make your writing or speech sound repetitive and predictable. Vary your introductions to keep the audience engaged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I always say" serves as an idiomatic introductory phrase. It prefaces a statement, opinion, or piece of advice that the speaker frequently expresses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. The examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, underscoring its function as a discourse marker that signals the speaker's recurring thought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

15%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Arts

8%

Food

6%

Lifestyle

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I always say" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a frequently expressed opinion, piece of advice, or personal motto. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts, and overuse should be avoided to maintain clarity and engagement. Predominantly found in news and media, its purpose is to emphasize a personal perspective. Alternatives like "As I often state" can provide a more formal tone, while related phrases such as "I frequently mention" offer similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As I often state

Replaces "say" with "state", making the expression more formal.

I often remark

Replaces "say" with "remark", emphasizing the act of commenting rather than simply stating.

I'm in the habit of saying

Emphasizes the routine or habitual nature of the statement.

I frequently mention

Substitutes "say" with "mention", highlighting the repeated sharing of information.

I'm accustomed to saying

Indicates a familiarity or comfort level with saying something.

I'm inclined to say

Indicates a tendency or leaning toward saying something, suggesting a predisposition.

I always put it this way

Shifts the focus to a specific manner of phrasing a thought, rather than simply stating it.

I'm wont to say

Uses "wont", indicating a habitual behavior of saying something.

I'm known to say

Focuses on the speaker's reputation for saying something, rather than the act itself.

It's my usual line

Replaces the entire phrase with a more colloquial expression indicating a typical statement.

FAQs

How can I use "I always say" in a sentence?

You can use "I always say" to introduce a personal belief, advice, or motto that you frequently express. For example, "I always say, 'Treat others as you want to be treated'". It's used to emphasize a recurring point.

What's a more formal alternative to "I always say"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "As I often state" or "I frequently mention". These alternatives add a level of formality while still conveying the idea of a recurring statement. You can read more about the expression "as I often state" or "I frequently mention".

Is it okay to use "I always say" in academic writing?

While "I always say" is grammatically correct, it might be too informal for academic writing. Consider rephrasing your sentence to remove the personal reference and focus on the statement itself. For example, instead of saying "I always say that evidence is crucial", you could say "Evidence is crucial".

What's the difference between "I always say" and "I often say"?

"I always say" implies that you say something every time the opportunity arises, while "I often say" suggests that you say it frequently, but not necessarily every single time. The degree of frequency is the key difference. Explore how to use "I often say" in different scenarios.