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I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Alternatives for Always

Alternatives is a recurring post in which I give synonyms for an over used word. Click on the tab above for a "complete" list of over used words. Depending on how you use the word, this list may come in handy for finding another way to say the same thing.

ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and moreToday's word is:  Always

Always, a word we love to hate. We always over-use it.

Early in our marriage my husband and I made a point to eliminate certain words that can trigger unwanted reactions.

Never and Always were at the top of the list. I'm sure you've had those "You always," and "You never," kind of statements thrown at you in the course of your life. And of course when used in that context they just aren't true.


Although we can't eliminate it entirely (even the irritating always has its place) we can certainly try to cut back on its use.

So here are some alternatives. If nothing else these suggestions may spur you on to think of you own way to replace the dreaded word.


at every turn, at no time,
consistently, constantly,
deathless,
endless/endlessly, endure, eternal/eternally, ever, everlastingly, ever-living, evermore,
for all ages, for keeps, forever, forever and a day, forever and ever, forevermore,
go on and on,
have no end,
immortal, imperishable, in perpetuity, invariably,
last forever,
never, never-dying,  never-ending, never-fading, night and day,
perpetually,
regularly, repeatedly,
till blue in the face, till doomsday, till hell freezes over, till the cows come home, to the crack of doom, to the end of time, to the last “syllable of recorded time” (from Macbeth)
unceasingly, undying, unfading, unfailingly,
without end, without exception

So, are you guilty of having accused someone of ALWAYS or NEVER doing something? Be honest. 

11 comments:

  1. I don't think I abuse this one, but I appreciate the alternatives you suggested.

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  2. Everybody in my family is guilty of saying "you never ..." or "you always ..." Sigh. You'll know all my writing faults when you read D. Oy.

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  3. I usually find that once I start thinking about a word like always- I realize I use it more than I thought. I will be thinking about always and the alternative phrases and words. Thanks for the reminder!

    ~Jess

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  4. But if we shouldn't use always, then we shouldn't use their equivalents either, right?

    That is to say, if we should never use always or never, then we should never... uh, wait.

    I get "sometimes" confused. :)

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  5. love the alternatives! I'm more of an always person myself :)
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  6. People who use ALWAYS are one of my pet peeves! :)

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  7. I'm ALWAYS using always...
    Then I edit it out... mostly ;)

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  8. I've been guilty of the "you always..." habit, but I try to catch myself. It doesn't always (consistently, perpetually) work, but it's a start :)

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  9. Great post, Bish! I almost always never use those two words, especially in the same sentence! :D

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  10. My favourite of these is "unceasingly" :)

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  11. Definitely, but I use it 'tongue in cheek'. :)

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Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!