are not always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not always" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not consistently occur or is not universally true. Example: "The results of the experiment are not always what we expect, leading to further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are not always peaceful.

Annales Médico-psychologiques, revue psychiatrique

They are not always realistic".

The New York Times - Sports

They are not always successful.

The New York Times

Students are not always enthusiastic.

The Economist

Motives are not always pure.

The New York Times - Books

They are not always wrong.

The Economist

These are not always obvious.

The Economist

They are not always compatible.

The New York Times - Books

We are not always believed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Authorities are not always sympathetic.

The Guardian

Successions are not always smooth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not always", follow up with specific instances or conditions where the statement doesn't hold true to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "are not always" when the statement is almost never true. It can weaken your argument if the exception is too rare.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not always" functions as an adverbial modifier, softening a statement to indicate that it is not universally true. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in qualifying assertions across diverse contexts, from scientific findings to everyday observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are not always" is a versatile phrase used to temper statements and avoid generalizations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various domains, especially in News & Media and Science. Its function is to add nuance, indicating that a statement is not universally true, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When writing, remember that while "are not always" adds precision, it should be used judiciously to avoid weakening your argument by highlighting excessively rare exceptions. For similar expressions, consider alternatives such as "aren't necessarily" or "do not consistently" to convey slightly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not consistently

Emphasizes a lack of consistent occurrence.

don't invariably

Highlights that something is not a certainty.

aren't necessarily

Suggests that something is not a requirement.

are sometimes not

Shifts the emphasis to occasional absence.

do not typically

Indicates something is generally not the case.

are not typically

Denotes a general lack of something.

do not usually

Suggests infrequent occurrence.

are not generally

Implies something is not a widespread condition.

seldom are

Inverts the structure to emphasize rarity.

rarely are

Highlights the infrequency of something.

FAQs

How can I use "are not always" in a sentence?

Use "are not always" to express that something is not consistently true or does not happen in every instance. For example, "Plans "are not always successful", but it's important to keep trying."

What phrases are similar to "are not always"?

Similar phrases include "aren't necessarily", "do not consistently", or "don't invariably". Each conveys a slightly different nuance of something not being universally true.

Is "are not always" grammatically correct?

Yes, "are not always" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to express that something does not happen in every situation or is not consistently true.

What's the difference between "are not always" and "are never"?

"Are not always" means that something is sometimes true, while "are never" indicates that something is never true. Using "are not always" suggests exceptions exist, while "are never" implies a universal negative.