not always

USAGE SUMMARY

"not always" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something does not happen on every occasion, and that it may happen sometimes but not all the time. For example, "It is not always sunny in Scotland."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though not always sympathetically.

The New York Times

I'm not always confident.

Independent

not always, however.

The Economist

Well, no — not always.

The New York Times

Not always, of course.

The New York Times - Sports

"Uh, not always.

The New Yorker

It's not always pretty.

The New York Times - Books

Well, not always quietly.

The New York Times - Arts

It's not always simple.

The New York Times

Not always, anyway.

The New York Times

Sometimes, but not always.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not always" to introduce nuance and avoid overgeneralizations. It acknowledges exceptions and provides a more accurate representation of reality.

Common error

While "not always" adds nuance, overuse can make your writing seem hesitant and lacking conviction. Aim for a balance between accuracy and clarity. Stronger statements can be more effective if the context allows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not always" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves to qualify a statement by indicating that it is not universally true, but rather subject to exceptions. It softens generalizations and introduces a degree of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not always" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express that something is not universally true. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. To enhance your writing, use "not always" to add nuance and avoid generalizations, but avoid overuse to maintain a strong and clear voice. Consider alternatives such as "sometimes" or "occasionally" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not consistently

Focuses on the lack of consistent occurrence, emphasizing the variability of the situation.

not every time

Highlights that an event does not occur each and every instance it could.

not in every case

Implies exceptions exist and outcomes are not uniform.

not perpetually

Highlights that something does not happen without cease or interruption.

not constantly

Implies that something does not happen without interruption or in a sustained manner.

not invariably

Emphasizes that something is not unchangeable or that exceptions are possible.

not necessarily

Indicates that something is not an inevitable consequence or condition.

not as a rule

Suggests a departure from what is generally true or expected.

only sometimes

Highlights the infrequency, emphasizing that the event is intermittent.

occasionally

Indicates that something happens infrequently or at irregular intervals.

FAQs

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

"Not always" is used to express that something is not true in every instance. For example, "Success is "not always" guaranteed, but hard work increases the odds."

What's a simple way to rephrase "not always"?

Alternatives include "sometimes", "occasionally", or "not necessarily", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "never" instead of "not always"?

"Never" indicates something does not happen at all, while "not always" means it happens sometimes. The choice depends on the accuracy of the statement. "It "not always" rains in summer" is different from "It never rains in summer".

How does "not always" compare to "rarely"?

"Rarely" suggests something seldom happens, whereas "not always" simply means it doesn't happen in every instance. The key difference is that "rarely" implies a low frequency, which "not always" explicitly states.