Every time vs All the time

Jacqui L.

Hello Cafetalk!

This is just a quick tip on how to use the terms "every time" and "all the time."

When you want to say that something happens very often you would use "all the time" at the end of your sentence. 
     My cat sleeps all the time. 

When you want to say that a particular thing happens at the same another thing occurs, you would use "every time."  There are two ways to structure the sentence:

     1. Every time I try to sleep, my phone rings. 
     2. My phone rings every time I try to sleep. 

If you only say "Every time I call my friend..."  Your listener will what happens when you try to sleep so you must finish the sentence. "Every time I call my friend, she is sleeping."

Here's an extra tip: Put your phone on silent when you want to get some sleep!
This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

Comments (2)

Login to Comment Log in »
  • Dani L.

    Nice video and background. Haha.

  • Yukiya_Hiraoka

    Hi Ms. Jacqui! Thank you for your posting helpful video!! Every time my mom calls me on LINE, she says she can't hear my voice on her smartphone:( I wonder why it doesn't happen when I call her.

Premium ribbon

from:

in:

Unterrichtet

Language Fluency

Englisch   Native
Kantonesisch   Near-Native
Chinesisch/Mandarin   Proficient
Französisch   Daily conversation

Jacqui L.'s beliebteste Kolumneneinträge

  • Englisch

    Your Favourite Poet

    This is just a short discussion about one of my favourite poems by one of my favourite poets, Rober...

    Jacqui L.

    Jacqui L.

    3
    5112
    Jul 28, 2020
  • Englisch

    Every time vs All the time

    Hello Cafetalk!This is just a quick tip on how to use the terms "every time" and "all the time."Whe...

    Jacqui L.

    Jacqui L.

    2
    4773
    Aug 1, 2020
  • Englisch

    How to use At, On, and In When Talking About Time

    Hello Cafetalk!Here's a mini-lesson or quick tip for everyone.  The title says it all :)Hope you fo...

    Jacqui L.

    Jacqui L.

    1
    4708
    Aug 8, 2020
  • Englisch

    Stargazing...sort of

    This is just my two cents on stargazing. It's literally two cents worth because I am by no means an...

    Jacqui L.

    Jacqui L.

    2
    4562
    Dec 3, 2020
« Back to List of Tutor's Column

Got a question? Click to Chat