but is always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but is always" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a consistent or unchanging quality or state in contrast to something previously mentioned. Example: "The weather can be unpredictable, but is always beautiful in the spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Has not won often, but is always among the leaders.

The New York Times

The menu changes daily but is always fresh and seasonal.

The Guardian - Travel

The singing isn't as consistent, but is always at least serviceable.

The New York Times

She is sore at me at the moment but is always willing to talk.

The New York Times

Pirlo can keep the ball but is always looking for a killer pass.

The Guardian - Sport

So he stays alive to what everyone's offering but is always in charge.

The Guardian

Appointing "superstars" to government posts is not new, but is always interesting.

The Guardian

She can sass with the best of them but is always polite and comes off like kindness personified.

The New York Times

Mom is very antidrugs, very conservative, but is always blindsided by the goal of helping her daughter.

The New York Times

Instead, science starts with bold speculation but is always ready to abandon any views that are falsified by experiment.

The New York Times - Books

The but is always followed by things like, "We didn't have time for a big ski trip this year".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but is always" to highlight a consistent characteristic or state that exists in contrast to something else. This can add nuance to your writing and emphasize a particular trait.

Common error

Avoid using "but is always" in overly simple sentences where a more direct contrast might be more effective. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but is always" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas while emphasizing the consistent nature of the second part. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

29%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but is always" serves as a conjunction to introduce a contrast while underscoring a consistent characteristic or state. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is suitable for various contexts, notably news and media and scientific writing, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's best used to add meaningful nuance and avoid overuse in overly simplistic sentences. It conveys a consistent or unchanging quality or state in contrast to something previously mentioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet invariably

Replaces "but" with "yet" to introduce the contrast, and "is always" with "invariably" to emphasize consistency.

however consistently

Emphasizes the contrast with "however", and the consistent nature with "consistently".

though perpetually

Uses "though" to show contrast and "perpetually" to describe an ongoing state.

while invariably

Expresses contrast using "while" and emphasizes consistency using "invariably".

even so constantly

Highlights contrast with "even so" and uses "constantly" to indicate a continuous action.

nonetheless habitually

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" and "is always" with "habitually" to suggest a recurring habit despite the contrast.

still consistently

Indicates contrast with "still" and uses "consistently" to show a continuing manner.

despite that consistently

Uses "despite that" for contrast and maintains "consistently" to express a continuing pattern.

yet continually

Replaces "but" with "yet" for contrast and replaces "is always" with "continually" to emphasize the ongoing nature.

although consistently

Uses "although" for contrast while retaining "consistently" to maintain emphasis on the continuous aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "but is always" in a sentence?

The phrase "but is always" is used to present a contrast followed by a consistent state or action. For example, "He has not won often, "but is always" among the leaders."

What are some alternatives to "but is always"?

You can use alternatives like "yet invariably", "however consistently", or "though perpetually" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "but is always" in formal writing?

Yes, ""but is always"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to emphasize a consistent characteristic despite a contrasting element. Ludwig AI analysis demonstrates its use across various formal contexts including news, science, and encyclopedias.

What's the difference between "but is always" and "but remains"?

"But is always" implies a continuous or habitual action, while "but remains" suggests a state that persists. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize consistent action or enduring condition.