not always
Only at times
Not always means sometimes but not every time—a way of qualifying generalizations or expectations.
He's not always this grumpy suggests the grumpiness is situational.
The best team doesn't always win acknowledges exceptions to patterns.
The phrase softens absolute claims without fully contradicting them.
- sometimesAt irregular intervals
- from time to timeAt irregular intervals
- occasionallyAt infrequent intervals
- every now and thenAt irregular intervals
- once in a whileAt irregular intervals
rarely · seldom · often · usually · maybe · perhaps · inconsistent · sporadic · intermittent · unpredictable · fluctuating · variable · subject to change · unreliable · fickle · fair weather · changeable · wavering
frequency/consistency
not alwaysalways
At all times
invariably · constantly · perpetually · eternally · every time
certainty/exception
not alwayswithout exception
True for all cases
universally · absolutely · unconditionally · categorically · inevitably