Word Order?

1- I don't always go to the movies in the morning.
2- I always don't go to the movies in the morning.

I think they are fine. I have a preferance to the first one, but number two is ok if I add commas before and after "always" to emphasize. Are they IN any WAY strange to your ears?

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#1 represents the normal, neutral position for 'always' and as, it's probably more than reasonable to assume, it's in more common use. It says something different than #2. #1 says that on occasion, 'I' go to movies at times other than the morning.

#2 states that 'I' never go to morning movies and it sounds like a denial of a previous statement.

2- is 'strange' to my ears. It means, I never go . . . ., so use "never".

With adverbs of frequency the general rule of thumb is to place the adverb before the main verb, not the auxiliary:

I always go.
I don't always go.
?I always don't go. (means, "never go")

2. sounds weird too... I'd write "I never go..."
BTW 'I don't always go..." is different: you mean sometimes you go, but sometimes you don't

What about "not always, do I go to..."?

not always = not all the time.
always do not = never do; "not" negates "always do", giving never do.

1- I don't always go to the movies in the morning.
2- I always don't go to the movies in the morning.

I think they are fine. I have a preferance to the first one, but number two is ok if I add commas before and after "always" to emphasize. Are they IN any WAY strange to your ears?

=

#1 represents the normal, neutral position for 'always' and as, it's probably more than reasonable to assume, it's in more common use. It says something different than #2. #1 says that on occasion, 'I' go to movies at times other than the morning.

#2 states that 'I' never go to morning movies and it sounds like a denial of a previous statement.

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1. Thank you for the correction, JTT. I need it!
2. I see what you mean. May I jump to conclusion that in #1, "don't" modifies "always", so it forms partially nagative. However, in #2, "always" modies "don't", hence "never".

What do you think?

Pastel

2- is 'strange' to my ears. It means, I never go . . . ., so use "never".

I agree that "never" sounds better. Well..."always don't" doesn't sound unnatural to my ears though.

I thought "always" could modify "don't do something". It makes pretty much sense, doesn't it!

Cassie, good to see you here. This is blacknomi.

Thank you, pieanne.