they are always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are always" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a consistent or habitual action or state related to a subject. Example: "They are always punctual for meetings, which sets a great example for the rest of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are always friendly.

The Economist

They are always hungry….

The New Yorker

"They are always dangerous.

The New York Times

And they are always good.

The New York Times - Food

They are always so chic.

The New York Times

And they are always together.

The New York Times - Sports

"They are always watching us.

The New York Times

Now they are always booked.

The New York Times

They are always being trained".

The New Yorker

They are always future professionals.

Independent

They are always full.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are always" to emphasize a consistent behavior, state, or characteristic. For example, "They are always prepared for their presentations, which makes their message more convincing."

Common error

Avoid using "they are always" in every sentence, as this can make your writing sound repetitive and monotonous. Consider using synonyms like "they consistently", "they invariably", or rephrasing the sentence for more variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are always" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the frequency or consistency of an action or state. Ludwig's examples show that it's used to describe habitual behaviors, recurring situations, or constant attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

13%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they are always" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate consistency or habitual behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse to maintain variety in your writing. Consider related phrases like "they consistently are" or "they invariably are" for similar meanings. Keep in mind the neutral register of the phrase and adjust your language accordingly for more formal or informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they consistently are

Reorders the sentence structure slightly, placing 'consistently' after 'are'.

they habitually are

Substitutes 'always' with 'habitually', emphasizing the habitual nature.

they invariably are

Replaces 'always' with 'invariably', suggesting a lack of exception.

they are consistently

Changes the structure and implies ongoing regularity.

they are constantly

Replaces 'always' with 'constantly', suggesting continuous action.

they perpetually are

Replaces 'always' with 'perpetually', implying unending continuation.

they are forever

Substitutes 'always' with 'forever', indicating permanence.

it is their habit to

Expresses a habitual action using a different sentence structure.

they tend to always be

Introduces 'tend to' to soften the assertion of 'always'.

it is typical of them to be

Shifts the focus to typical behavior, using a more formal structure.

FAQs

How can I use "they are always" in a sentence?

The phrase "they are always" indicates a consistent or habitual action. For instance, "They are always willing to help others" shows their consistent helpfulness.

What can I say instead of "they are always"?

You can use alternatives like "they consistently", "they invariably", or "they habitually" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they always are" instead of "they are always"?

While "they are always" is the standard and more common construction, "they always are" can be grammatically correct but may sound less natural or emphasize the 'are'. It is generally safer to stick with "they are always" for clarity.

What's the difference between "they are always" and "they usually are"?

"They are always" indicates something happens without exception, while "they usually are" suggests it happens most of the time but not necessarily every time. The former implies a higher degree of certainty and regularity.