there were always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were always" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a consistent presence or occurrence of something in the past. Example: "In my childhood, there were always stories told by my grandmother that captivated my imagination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were always distractions.

The New Yorker

There were always exceptions.

The New York Times

"There were always parties.

The New York Times - Style

There were always secrets.

The Guardian

There were always commentators.

The New York Times - Magazine

But there were always exceptions.

The New Yorker

There were always books around.

The New York Times - Books

There were always long lines.

The Washington Post

There were always more issues.

The New York Times - Arts

There were always fresh vegetables.

The New York Times - Magazine

There were always children around.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were always" to establish a sense of consistency or predictability in past situations. This helps to build context and set expectations for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "there were always" excessively in complex sentences, as it can make the writing sound repetitive and monotonous. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "there were always" is to introduce a statement about the consistent presence or occurrence of something in the past. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in setting context or describing habitual situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"There were always" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the consistent presence or occurrence of something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the subject's plurality and avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Consider related phrases like "there consistently existed" for variety. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "there were always" to convey consistency and predictability in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there consistently existed

Replaces "were always" with a more formal expression implying continuous existence.

one could always find

Shifts focus to the possibility of finding something consistently.

there habitually were

Uses "habitually" to emphasize the habitual nature of something.

it was common to see

Emphasizes the frequency of seeing something.

invariably present

Indicates an unchanging presence.

you could reliably expect

Focuses on the reliable expectation of something.

routinely present

Highlights the routine presence of something.

it was a regular occurrence

Highlights the regularity of an event.

certain things were perpetually

Emphasizes the continuous nature of certain things.

on a consistent basis

Indicates that the action occurs repeatedly.

FAQs

How can I use "there were always" in a sentence?

You can use "there were always" to describe something that consistently happened or existed in the past. For instance, "In my childhood, there were always books around."

What are some alternatives to "there were always"?

Alternatives include phrases like "there consistently existed", "one could always find", or "it was common to see" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "there was always" instead of "there were always"?

The choice between "there was always" and "there were always" depends on whether you're referring to a singular or plural subject. Use "there was always" for singular subjects and "there were always" for plural subjects.

What is the difference between "there were always" and "there have always been"?

"There were always" refers to something that consistently happened or existed in a specific past period. "There have always been" implies that something has consistently existed from the past until the present.