The Present Continuous with always?

The signal word "always"

While teaching grammar for exams I am often asked how to use always in the Present Continuous sentences. Usually, my students are fully aware of how to use always with the Present Simple, describing the activities which happen regularly, for example:

I always wake up at 7 in the morning.

However, when they happen to see the sentence:

My grandmother is always giving me little presents.

the learners have no idea why the Present Continuous is used in this case.

Below you are going to find 2 rules of using The Present Continuous with always!

1. We use the Present Continuous if something happens often, but it is unplanned.

For instance:

My granny is always giving me little presents.

It means that she is doing this quite often, but the person doesn’t know when it is going to happen next time, it is always surprising.

One more example to illustrate this rule:

I’m always meeting Jim in the supermarket.

2. We can use the Present Continuous with always to express our criticism and irritation by the actions which happen far too often.

For example:

My brother is always losing keys!

Or

Mary is always arguing with her boss.

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