Expressing "always" with "zongshi"

总是（zǒngshì）and 老是（lǎoshì) have the same meaning. Both can be interchanged in the same sentence.

Structure with Verbs

"总是" is an adverb that is often translated to English as "always". It is placed before the verb that it modifies.

Subject + 总是 + Verb

我总是忘记这个词。I always forget that word.
他总是迟到。He is always late.
她总是花很多钱买衣服。
你不应该总是抱怨。you shouldn't always complain.
他总是有很多有意思的想法。He always has a lot of interesting opinions.
为什么你总是跟那个老男人在一起？Why are you always together with that old man?
每次在饭店点菜，他总是点红烧肉。Every time when ordering food at a restaurant, he always orders red-cooked meat.
她总是穿裙子。She always wear a skirt.
小孩子不能总是吃肉。Small kids can't always eat meat.
他总是一个人吃饭。He always eats alone.

When 总是 is used together with an adjective, you will need to add a modifier in the middle, such as "这么", "那么", "很", "特别" etc.

总是 + Modifier + Adj.

When the subject is put after 总是，the emphasis is on the subject itself while the emphasis is on the predicates it the subject is put before 总是。

总是＋subject+verb强调“总是”后面的主语。

subject+总是＋verb强调“总是”后面的动词。