Allways vs. Always: How to Spell It

If you are looking for the correct spelling, here it is: Always is the only correct spelling in standard English.

The word requires just one "l" and one "s" (A-L-W-A-Y-S). Spelling it as "allways" with a double "l" is universally considered a grammatical error in professional, academic, and casual writing. If you struggle with this word, you are not alone—it is one of the most frequently misspelled words in the American English language.

Notice how the word "all" loses an "l" when it merges with "ways" to form "always," preventing a clunky triple-consonant sound.

To understand why the single "l" exists, we have to look at Old English. The word comes from the Old English phrase ealne weg, which literally translates to "all the way" or "continuously." Over centuries, the phrase was contracted into a single word, alway.

As the language evolved into Middle English, an "s" was added to the end to create alwayes, which eventually became always. During this contraction from "all" to "al," the English language naturally dropped the second "l" to simplify the word. Therefore, while the word contains the concept of "all," it does not retain its double consonant.

Noah Webster, the father of American English spelling, kept the single "l" for "always" in his dictionaries, solidifying the simplified, standardized spelling in the United States just as it was in British English.

• Almost always
• Always remember
• Always wanted
• Always available
• Not always
• Always be careful

In daily conversation, "always" is heavily used to describe habits, routines, and feelings. For example, telling a friend, "I always go to that coffee shop" establishes a regular habit. It is one of the most common frequency adverbs in spoken English.

• I always drink a glass of water when I wake up.
• She always leaves her keys by the front door.
• I always go to that coffee shop on weekends.
• He always forgets to turn off the lights.
• We always walk the dog after dinner.

In academic writing, "always" is used carefully because it denotes an absolute (100% occurrence). For instance, "Water always boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level." It is used for universal laws and constants.

• Water always boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
• The control group was always kept at room temperature.
• The data always reflected a linear progression.
• Gravity always pulls objects toward the center of mass.
• The equation always yields a positive integer.

In business emails, "always" is a strong commitment word. Saying "We always prioritize customer safety" sets a non-negotiable standard. It conveys absolute reliability and consistency to clients.

• We always prioritize customer safety.
• The manager is always available for questions.
• You should always proofread your emails before sending.
• The system is always backed up to the cloud.
• Prices are always subject to change without notice.