the position of always

[Sun14]

Hello, my friends,

I was wondering whether the position of always I use is idiomatic:

Always, he gets up early.

Thoughts and context: I told my friend that Tom always gets up early.

 

[Edinburgher]

No.

 

[jmichaelm]

No, this is not idiomatic.

You would say it just as you wrote later in your post, "He always gets up early."

 

[dojibear]

 

[Sun14]

No.

I find always, never and often which describes the frequency of actions cannot do that but such words like sometimes and usually can do that.

 

[Sun14]

No, this is not idiomatic.

You would say it just as you wrote later in your post, "He always gets up early."

Got it. Thank you very much. Please see#5.

 

[jmichaelm]

I find always, never and often which describes the frequency of actions cannot do that but such words like sometimes and usually can do that.

An interesting observation. Yes we say, "Somtimes I get up early." but we never say "Always I get up early." English is like that: full of unexpected and irregular syntax.

 

[Edinburgher]

"Often" can come first.

 

[Sun14]

An interesting observation. Yes we say, "Somtimes I get up early." but we never say "Always I get up early." English is like that: full of unexpected and irregular syntax.

"Often" can come first.

Got it. Thank you very much.

 

[Sun14]

No.

No, this is not idiomatic.

You would say it just as you wrote later in your post, "He always gets up early."

An interesting observation. Yes we say, "Somtimes I get up early." but we never say "Always I get up early." English is like that: full of unexpected and irregular syntax.

"Often" can come first.

Thank you very much. I was wondering whether "seldom" can come first?

 

[Edinburgher]

Thank you very much. I was wondering whether "seldom" can come first?

No. I seldom get up early.

 

[Sun14]

No. I seldom get up early.

Got it. Thank you very much.

 

[dojibear]

"Seldom" can start an inverted sentences (though sentences like that are not common) but not a normal one.

Seldom do I get up early.
Seldom, I get up early.
I seldom get up early.

Sometimes, I
Occasionally, I
Usually, I
Always, I

This pattern doesn't seem very logical to me.

 

[Roymalika]

Hi

If the sentence is imperative, then what would be the natural position of "always", please?

For example, a teacher advised me during the days of the pandemic:
Always use a mask.
Use a mask always.

 

[Edinburgher]

Which of the two did your teacher use?

 

[Roymalika]

Which of the two did your teacher use?

The second one, with "always" at the end.

 

[dojibear]

For me (in AE), it is natural at the start of the imperative sentence:

Always wear a mask.

At the end, it sounds like a separate imperative, with "do it" omitted:

Wear a mask -- always (do it).

 

[Roymalika]

One of my students lies. I advised him not to lie. It's not a good habit. He promised me not to lie again. He said that he will always/always will speak the truth.

OR

John is my student. He will always/always will speak the truth. He promised me so.

self-made context

May I please ask whether either position of "always" is correct here?

 

[Edinburgher]

It sounds much more natural with "will" before "always".