certainly always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly always" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize that something is true without exception, but it may be better to choose a clearer expression. Example: "I will certainly always support you in your endeavors."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

And kerts are certainly always evolving.

The New York Times - Style

Isn't knowledge always good, and certainly always better than ignorance?

The Economist

I certainly always wanted to look the part.

Independent

That's certainly always going to be an element".

The New York Times

Artists have certainly always borrowed from the classics.

The New York Times

She said: "There's certainly always a hidden message in my music videos.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

This was certainly not always the case.

The New York Times

This has certainly not always been true.

The Guardian

"That is certainly not always true.

The New York Times

HENDRIK HERTZBERG: Often but certainly not always.

The New Yorker

But it was certainly not always thus.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly always" when you want to emphasize the unwavering consistency of an action or state. Ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis, as it can sound somewhat formal or emphatic.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly always" in casual conversation or informal writing where a less emphatic phrase would be more appropriate. It can sound overly formal or stilted in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly always" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding emphasis to the verb it modifies. It indicates that an action or state is not only certain but also consistently true. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts to highlight unwavering consistency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certainly always" functions as an adverbial modifier to emphasize the unwavering consistency of an action or state. Ludwig indicates that while grammatically acceptable, the phrase can sound slightly awkward and is more suited to formal contexts where emphasis is desired. Alternatives like "definitely always" or "undoubtedly always" may offer a smoother tone in some situations. While "certainly always" isn't incorrect, careful consideration of the context will ensure its effective and appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely always

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely", maintaining a strong sense of assurance and consistency.

undoubtedly always

Substitutes "certainly" with "undoubtedly", emphasizing a lack of doubt regarding the consistency.

invariably always

Replaces "certainly" with "invariably", focusing on the unchanging nature of the consistency.

assuredly always

Replaces "certainly" with "assuredly", highlighting a confident expectation of consistency.

without fail, always

Adds "without fail" to underscore the consistency, indicating something happens without exception.

consistently and certainly

Reverses the order and uses "consistently" to emphasize the unwavering nature.

absolutely always

Replaces "certainly" with "absolutely", intensifying the sense of assurance in the consistency.

surely always

Substitutes "certainly" with "surely", implying a confident expectation of consistency.

positively always

Uses "positively" in place of "certainly", offering a more affirmative tone regarding the consistency.

most assuredly always

Adds "most" to "assuredly" for greater emphasis, conveying a very strong belief in the consistency.

FAQs

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

Use "certainly always" to emphasize a consistent action or state. For example, "The company is "certainly always" striving to improve its customer service."

What are some alternatives to "certainly always"?

Alternatives include "definitely always", "undoubtedly always", or "invariably always", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "certainly always" redundant?

While some might perceive it as slightly redundant due to the overlapping emphasis of "certainly" and "always", the phrase is used to strongly reinforce the idea of unwavering consistency.

When is it best to use "certainly always" in writing?

It's best used when you want to emphasize the unwavering consistency of something, particularly in more formal or emphatic contexts where the extra emphasis is warranted.