Using 'always' to express habits and irritation

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Introduction

Understanding how to use the word "always" is crucial for TOEIC candidates, as it frequently appears in both the Listening and Reading sections of the test. This lesson will help you master using "always" to express habits and irritation, which can enhance your comprehension and communication skills in business contexts.

Explanation

  • Expressing Habits: "Always" is often used with the simple present tense to describe actions that happen regularly. For example:

    • She always arrives at the office by 8 a.m.

    • They always check their emails first thing in the morning.

  • Expressing Irritation: "Always" can also be used to express annoyance or irritation about repeated actions, often with the present continuous tense. For example:

    • He is always interrupting during meetings.

    • She is always complaining about the workload.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing Tenses: Remember to use the simple present tense for habits and the present continuous tense for irritation.

    • Incorrect: He always is interrupting during meetings.

    • Correct: He is always interrupting during meetings.

  • Overusing "Always": Avoid using "always" when it is not necessary, as it can make your speech sound repetitive or overly dramatic.

Tips for the TOEIC test

  • Pay attention to context clues in the Listening section to determine if "always" is used to express a habit or irritation.

  • In the Reading section, look for accompanying verbs to help you identify the correct tense and meaning of "always."

Mini practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:

  • She is always late for the weekly team meetings, which frustrates her manager.

  • They always have their lunch at the same café nearby.

  • He is always complaining about the noise in the office, even though it is usually quiet.

Remember to consider whether the sentence is expressing a habit or irritation to choose the correct tense.