Welcome back to another English grammar lesson! Today, we’re diving into a slightly trickier aspect of English grammar that can really boost your spoken English: using ‘always’ with the present continuous tense. At the B2 level, you’re likely comfortable using ‘always’ to talk about frequency, but did you know you can also use it to express annoyance or criticism? Let’s explore how!

What is “Always + Present Continuous”?

You probably already know ‘always’ as an adverb of frequency. We use it with the simple present to describe things that happen regularly, like:

• I always drink coffee in the morning.
• She always arrives on time.
• They always go to the gym on Mondays.

In these sentences, ‘always’ simply tells us how often something happens. But when we combine ‘always’ with the present continuous tense (is/am/are + -ing verb), the meaning changes. It takes on a new nuance, usually expressing annoyance, irritation, or criticism about something that happens repeatedly.

When and Why Do We Use ‘Always + Present Continuous’ for Annoyance?

We use ‘always + present continuous’ to talk about habits or actions that someone does very often, so often that it bothers us. It’s not just about frequency anymore; it’s about the negative feeling associated with that repeated action. This structure is perfect for expressing frustration in everyday situations. Think about those little habits of people around you that sometimes get on your nerves – this is the grammar for that!

Key reasons to use ‘always + present continuous’ for annoyance:

• To express irritation: You find a repeated action annoying.
• To criticize someone’s behavior: You want to point out a habit you don’t like.
• To emphasize the frequency in a negative way: The repetition is the problem.

How to Form ‘Always + Present Continuous’

The structure is quite simple. We place ‘always’ between the auxiliary verb (am, is, are) and the main verb (-ing form):
Subject + am/is/are + always + verb-ing
Let’s break it down with examples:

• He is always interrupting me when I’m talking! (Annoying habit of interrupting)
• They are always complaining about something. (Habit of complaining that is irritating)
• She is always leaving her things everywhere. (Annoying habit of being messy)
• I am always losing my keys! (Expressing self-irritation about a repeated mistake)
• You are always forgetting to turn off the lights. (Criticizing someone for forgetting)

Notice the tone in these sentences. They all carry a sense of frustration or disapproval. This is the key difference from using ‘always’ with the simple present.

Examples of ‘Always + Present Continuous’ in Action

Let’s look at more examples to solidify your understanding of how to use ‘always present continuous’ to express annoyance in various contexts. Imagine these scenarios:

At Home

• “My brother is always borrowing my clothes without asking! It’s so frustrating.” (Expressing annoyance at a sibling’s habit)
• “The neighbours are always playing loud music late at night. I can’t get any sleep!” (Complaining about noisy neighbours)
• “Why are you always leaving the dishes in the sink? It’s your turn to wash up!” (Criticizing a housemate for not doing chores)

At Work or School

• “He is always arriving late for meetings. It’s disrespectful to everyone else.” (Criticizing a colleague’s punctuality)
• “She is always asking me for help, even though she knows how to do it herself!” (Expressing irritation at someone being overly dependent)
• “Our boss is always changing his mind. It makes it impossible to plan anything.” (Frustration with indecisive management)

Personal Habits (Self-Criticism)

• “I am always procrastinating. I need to get better at managing my time.” (Self-criticism about a bad habit)
• “I know I am always worrying too much about things. I need to relax more.” (Acknowledging and criticizing one’s own anxiety)
• “Why am I always forgetting people’s names? It’s so embarrassing!” (Self-irritation about forgetfulness)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learners sometimes confuse the use of ‘always’ with the simple present and the present continuous. Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Using simple present for annoyance: Saying “He always interrupts me” (simple present) is grammatically correct to describe frequency, but it doesn’t carry the same strong feeling of annoyance as “He is always interrupting me” (present continuous). The present continuous emphasizes the ongoing and irritating nature of the action.
2. Forgetting ‘always’: Saying “He is interrupting me” (present continuous alone) describes what’s happening right now. To express the repeated, annoying habit, you need ‘always’.
3. Incorrect word order: Make sure ‘always’ comes after ‘am/is/are’ and before the -ing verb. “He always is interrupting” is incorrect.

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s your turn to practice using ‘always + present continuous’ to express annoyance. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below, using the present continuous form of the verb in brackets with ‘always’.

Fill in the Blanks

1. My roommate __________ (leave) his dirty socks on the floor! It’s disgusting.
2. She __________ (ask) silly questions in class. It’s so distracting.
3. They __________ (make) noise when I’m trying to concentrate.
4. He __________ (forget) to lock the door. It’s not safe!
5. I __________ (lose) my phone. It’s driving me crazy!

Rewrite the sentences to express annoyance using ‘always + present continuous’.

1. He calls me late at night. (Express annoyance about this habit)
2. She interrupts me when I’m talking. (Express annoyance about this habit)
3. They complain about everything. (Express annoyance about their general attitude)

Answers to Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks – Answers

1. My roommate is always leaving his dirty socks on the floor! It’s disgusting.
2. She is always asking silly questions in class. It’s so distracting.
3. They are always making noise when I’m trying to concentrate.
4. He is always forgetting to lock the door. It’s not safe!
5. I am always losing my phone. It’s driving me crazy!

Rewrite Sentences – Answers

1. He is always calling me late at night!
2. She is always interrupting me when I’m talking!
3. They are always complaining about everything!

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