Always vs. All Ways – How to Use Each Correctly
What’s the Difference Between Always and All Ways?
Contents
Always and all ways sound exactly the same, with the exception of all ways usually having a slight pause between the words. However, their definitions are different, which means these two terms cannot be interchanged.
Always is an adverb that means all the time.
- I always read for an hour before going to bed.
All ways is an adjective paired with a plural noun. It means in all manners.
- All ways of traveling have their benefits as well as their disadvantages.
Now, let’s go over a few ways to use these words in English.
Using Always in a Sentence
When to use always: Use always to describe an action that is true all of the time, or very frequently and habitually.
For example,
- The tide is always coming in or going out.
- The family’s dog always sleeps at the top of the stairs.
There are many idioms and expressions that use always. A few of these include those below:
- bread always falls on the buttered side: if a problem comes up it usually turns out in the worst way
- Of course the one time I tripped I fell on a rusty nail and got tetanus. Bread always falls on the buttered side.
- the customer is always right: the customer knows what he or she wants
- I know the chef recommends that steaks be ordered medium rare, but I like my steak cooked well-done. Remember that the customer is always right.
- my door is always open: you are always welcome to come visit me
- I’m so glad you came over! Anytime that you feel like talking, please feel free to come see me. My door is always open!
- the grass is always greener on the other side: things always seem better for other people than for you
- I know you think Shelly is so perfect, and that your life is boring, but the grass is always greener on the other side. Shelly thinks the same thing about you.
- a bully is always a coward: a person who mistreats others only to gain power is not brave
- Don’t be scared of Timmy just because he says mean things. A bully is always a coward. If you stand up to him he will stop bothering you.
Always originated in the 1300’s and comes from the meaning all the way in respect to time.
Using All Ways in a Sentence
When to use all ways: All ways is a two word expression. All is an adjective that means each or every. Ways is a plural noun that means methods, manners, or techniques. It is the same as all the ways.
For example,
- I tried learning Portuguese in all ways, but none of them seemed to help me succeed.
- The two twins are opposites in all ways except their appearance.
The expression all ways is almost always preceded by the preposition in.
Remembering Always vs. All Ways
One way to remember the difference between always and all ways is to take advantage of the fact that all ways is two words. Try inserting the word the, or possible, between all and ways whenever you aren’t sure which term you need. If your sentence still makes sense, then use all ways. For example, my two dogs are the same in all the ways or the two singers are equal in all possible ways make sense, so you know to use all ways instead of always in each of them.
Outside Examples
- “We moved from Atlanta in March 2013 and absolutely loved Denver! It was always our dream to move there, and it totally lived up to it. –Denver Post
- “I think it’s a good deal because the whole Husker nation is pretty much behind this,” Rodgers said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “We’ve always wanted someone with Nebraska ties as far as coaching was concerned, ever since they let Frank (Solich) go.” –Chicago Sun Times
- K. Business Secretary Sajid Javid said the steel industry is “absolutely vital” for the U.K. and the government is ready to look at all ways it could provide commercial support to secure the long-term future of the industry. –The Wall Street Journal
- “Of course the Venus flytrap is smarter and more advanced in all ways” than the new device says Arri Priimägi of Finland’s Tampere University of Technology, a member of the team that built the artificial flytrap. –USA Today
Quiz: Always vs. All Ways
Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct word, either always or all ways.
- If you want to attend a great university, you must ______________ study hard and participate in extracurricular activities.
- She tries her best in _________________ possible.
- I never drink milk from a cow. I ___________ drink soy milk.
See answers below.
Article Summary
Should I use always or all ways? These words sound alike, but their meanings differ. Therefore, be aware of the different definitions for each so you don’t confuse one with the other.
- Always is an adverb that means perpetually or frequently and repetitively.
- All ways is an expression that means in every way or with all methods.
Despite the fact that both always and all ways use all in the sense of every, you must not confuse the two.
Answers
- always
- all ways
- always