Not always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Not always" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not happen all the time or is not universally true. Example: "While the results are generally positive, they are not always guaranteed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not always, of course.

The New York Times - Sports

Not always, anyway.

The New York Times

Not always, though.

The New York Times

Not always good discussions.

The New York Times

Not always," he said.

The New York Times

Not always perfectly.

The New York Times

Not always so handsome.

The New York Times

Not always successfully.

The Economist

Not always so.

Forbes

Not always in Manchester.

BBC

Not always easy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Not always" to introduce nuance or counter a generalization, providing a more balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple negative phrases. Instead of saying "It's not always true that it's not useful", rephrase it to "It's sometimes useful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Not always" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something is not true in every instance. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing its role in introducing exceptions or qualifications to statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Not always" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to qualify statements and introduce exceptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. While direct and suitable for both formal and informal settings, writers should be mindful of overuse and potential wordiness. Alternatives such as "not necessarily" or "sometimes" can provide similar nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not necessarily

Emphasizes that something is not required or certain, unlike "Not always" which focuses on frequency.

Not invariably

Highlights that something does not occur in every case, differing slightly from the broader scope of "Not always".

Not consistently

Focuses on the lack of uniformity or regularity, whereas "Not always" is more general.

Not perpetually

Indicates that something is not continuous or unending, a specific aspect of "Not always".

There are exceptions

Focuses on the existence of cases where something doesn't hold true, a specific implication of "Not always".

Not in every instance

Highlights specific situations where something doesn't happen, unlike the general statement of "Not always".

It varies

Suggests a lack of consistency, similar to "Not always" but with an emphasis on the changing nature.

It depends

Indicates that the truth varies based on circumstances, implying "Not always" without explicitly stating it.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no

Explicitly contrasts occurrences and non-occurrences, unlike the more subtle "Not always".

Under certain circumstances

Highlights the conditional nature of something, implying it is "Not always" true or applicable.

FAQs

What does "Not always" mean?

The phrase "Not always" indicates that something is not true or does not happen in every instance or situation. It suggests that there are exceptions or variations.

How can I use "Not always" in a sentence?

You can use "Not always" to qualify a statement and introduce exceptions. For example: "The loudest student is "not always" the smartest student."

What are some alternatives to "Not always"?

Alternatives to "Not always" include phrases like "not necessarily", "not invariably", "not consistently", or "sometimes" depending on the context.

Is "Not always" grammatically correct?

Yes, "Not always" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something is not true in every case. It is a standard way to introduce nuance to a statement.