really always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really always" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or redundant.
It can be used in informal contexts to emphasize the consistency of a statement, but it is generally better to avoid it for clarity. Example: "I really always try to do my best in every situation."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I really always think positive.

The New York Times

I've really always loved the anonymity of things".

The New York Times - Arts

"The fact is you really have a podium, really, always.

The Guardian

It was really always a tribute to them".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Only he really always wanted to be a decorator.

The New York Times - Style

But this has really always been a place of contradictions.

The New York Times

He's really always the Man of the Hour.

The Guardian - Sport

Do you really always enjoy sex with your girlfriend?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's all censorship, of course, but is that really always so terrible?

The Guardian

She added: "Tom Allen has really always closely identified as a Democrat.

The New York Times

Mulroney also recalled Ronald's adoration of his wife, saying: "She really always was on his mind".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "really always" with a single adverb such as "always", "consistently", or "genuinely" for conciseness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "really always" when "always" alone sufficiently conveys the intended meaning. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really always" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the meaning of "always". It indicates the consistent and persistent nature of an action or state, similar to how adverbs modify verbs or adjectives. Ludwig AI indicates that while frequently used, it can often be more concise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really always" functions as an adverbial modifier, used to emphasize consistency or persistence. While prevalent in News & Media, and to a lesser extent Science and Formal & Business contexts, Ludwig AI notes it can often be redundant. The phrase is grammatically acceptable, but using a single adverb like "always", "consistently", or "genuinely" often improves conciseness. When aiming for clarity and impact, consider these alternatives to avoid weakening your writing with unnecessary redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly always

Replaces "really" with "truly" for a slightly more formal tone.

genuinely always

Substitutes "really" with "genuinely" to emphasize sincerity and authenticity.

definitely always

Replaces "really" with "definitely" to convey a sense of certainty and assurance.

certainly always

Similar to "definitely always", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on conviction.

invariably always

Uses "invariably" to highlight the consistent and unchanging nature of the action or state.

consistently always

Emphasizes the repetitive and habitual nature of the action with "consistently".

absolutely always

Replaces "really" with "absolutely" to add intensity and conviction.

without exception always

Highlights that the action or state happens every single time without any exceptions.

unfailingly always

Emphasizes the reliability and dependability of the action using "unfailingly".

habitually always

Highlights the habitual nature of the action, suggesting it's a routine or custom.

FAQs

What does "really always" mean?

The phrase "really always" is used to emphasize the consistency or persistence of something. However, the word "really" is often redundant and can be omitted without changing the meaning.

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

You can use "really always" to describe a habitual action or a consistent state. For example, "I "genuinely always" try to do my best" implies a consistent effort.

What can I say instead of "really always"?

Alternatives to "really always" include "truly always", "genuinely always", or simply "always", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it grammatically incorrect to say "really always"?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, "really always" is often considered redundant. Using just "always" is usually more concise and effective.