it is not always the case

USAGE SUMMARY

It is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in situations when you are trying to express that something is not always true. For example, "It is not always the case that people who work hard are successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is not always the case.

The Economist

We all presume our credit rating is fine but it is not always the case.

Independent

That is not surprising, but it is not always the case.

The New York Times

It is not always the case that a successful breakthrough also triggers a gradual, evolutionary process of consolidating liberal democracy.

Stanford University

Sometimes the quality of the player is linked with the transfer amount and it is not always the case.

Independent

In general that is true, but owners of older cars are finding it is not always the case.

The New York Times

For her children, her condition is normalised, but for those around them it is not always the case.

The Guardian - Sport

But it is not always the case you want a jockey on your horse other than in a race.

The New York Times

"It is not always the case that something brought forward by a charity and advocated passionately by colleagues is always the answer.

Independent

On other occasions we have been able to respond quickly to going a goal behind but it is not always the case.

The Guardian - Sport

It is not always the case that the best-selling album among the nominees is the one that wins the Grammy for album of the year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not always the case" to introduce a specific exception to a general rule or assumption. This helps to provide a balanced perspective and avoid overgeneralizations in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not always the case" as a way to dismiss a valid general trend or statistical likelihood. Ensure you have a specific, well-reasoned exception to support your statement, rather than simply using it to create doubt or uncertainty without justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not always the case" functions as a qualifier or a hedge. It's used to introduce an exception or limitation to a general statement, preventing overgeneralization. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

37%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is not always the case" serves as a crucial linguistic tool for introducing exceptions and adding nuance to general statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various writing contexts. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and academic sources indicates its utility in balanced and precise communication. To avoid misuse, remember to provide specific exceptions to back up this phrase, instead of using it vaguely. Alternatives include ""it is not necessarily so"" and ""that is not invariably true"", which help in conveying similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is not necessarily so

Replaces "always" with "necessarily", indicating that something is not inevitably true.

that is not invariably true

Uses "invariably" to emphasize that something does not always hold true, adding a slightly more formal tone.

it's not universally true

Substitutes "always" with "universally", highlighting that something is not true in every instance or situation.

this is not consistently true

Emphasizes the lack of consistency in the truth of something, rather than absolute negation.

it does not always happen

Focuses on the occurrence of an event, indicating it's not a constant occurrence.

that's not always the situation

Shifts the focus to a specific "situation", suggesting variability depending on circumstances.

it's sometimes different

Simple and direct, suggesting that things can vary or change.

exceptions exist

A concise way to state that something is not universally applicable because there are exceptions.

circumstances vary

Highlights that different conditions or factors can lead to different outcomes.

the rule doesn't always apply

Indicates that a general rule or principle has exceptions or limitations.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not always the case" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not always the case" to introduce an exception to a general statement. For example, "While most birds can fly, "it is not always the case", as penguins cannot."

What are some alternatives to "it is not always the case"?

You can use alternatives like "it is not necessarily so", "that is not invariably true", or "it's not universally true" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it isn't always the case" instead of "it is not always the case"?

Yes, "it isn't always the case" is a contraction of "it is not always the case" and is perfectly acceptable in informal writing and speech. Both phrases have the same meaning.

What's the difference between "it is not always the case" and "it is not necessarily the case"?

"It is not always the case" implies that something is sometimes different, while "it is not necessarily the case" suggests that something is not inevitable or guaranteed. The nuance depends on whether you're highlighting variability or uncertainty.