would always say

USAGE SUMMARY

"would always say" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use this phrase to indicate that someone usually says something. For example, "My grandmother would always say, 'A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the same time, she would always say to us, 'Always be strong, even if life dishes out the worst.

Unicef

He would always say yes.

The New York Times

He would always say something nice.

The New Yorker

"She would always say, 'Hey!

The New York Times

We would always say: that's our cheerleader".

The New York Times - Sports

That's what my mother would always say.

The New York Times

"She would always say, 'This is my house.

The New York Times

"Poor thing," Claudia would always say, telling the story.

The New Yorker

"They would always say they were so sorry," Marsha says.

The New Yorker

"He would always say: 'I'm alone in what I'm doing.

Independent

"She would always say, 'We'll see,' " Chelsea recalled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would always say" to describe a repeated action or statement in the past, often to illustrate a characteristic behavior or belief of someone. For instance, "My grandfather "would always say", 'Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.'"

Common error

Avoid using "should always say" instead of "would always say" when describing a past habit. "Should" implies obligation or recommendation, while "would" indicates a repeated action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would always say" functions as a modal verb phrase used to describe a repeated action or habitual statement in the past. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use in narrating anecdotes or illustrating someone's characteristic beliefs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would always say" is a modal verb phrase used to describe habitual statements in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, especially in news and media, formal business and academic writing. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately conveys the repetitive nature of the statement and avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "should always say". Alternatives such as "used to say" or "was always saying" can provide subtle differences in meaning. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "would always say" into your writing to add depth and character.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to say

Replaces "would" with "used to", indicating a past habit or custom.

was always saying

Changes "would" to "was", emphasizing the continuous nature of the action in the past.

habitually said

Substitutes "would always say" with a more formal phrasing.

frequently mentioned

Replaces "say" with "mentioned", indicating less direct speech or a more general reference.

often remarked

Uses "remarked" instead of "said", implying a more thoughtful or considered statement.

customarily stated

Provides a formal way to say something was typically expressed.

invariably declared

Replaces "say" with "declared", suggesting a firm or emphatic statement.

was known to say

Emphasizes the general knowledge of someone's habitual statement.

had a habit of saying

Highlights the repetitive nature of the speech act.

would often express

Substitutes "say" with "express", softening the action and suggesting a broader sentiment.

FAQs

How can I use "would always say" in a sentence?

Use "would always say" to describe something that someone regularly said in the past. For example, "My coach "would always say", 'No pain, no gain!'"

What's a similar phrase to "would always say"?

Alternatives include "used to say", "was always saying", or "habitually said", depending on the context.

Is there a more formal way to express "would always say"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "frequently mentioned" or "customarily stated" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "would always say" and "used to say"?

"Would always say" emphasizes the repetitive nature of the statement, while "used to say" simply indicates a past habit or custom. The difference is subtle but can affect the nuance of your writing.