向来 (always / all along)
IntroducedA reliable colleague has one unusual day
- A colleague is normally punctual, but today has not arrived.
- he他always向来punctual准时，today今天how / why怎么still / also还not / haven't没to come来？ — The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Locate the pattern in real examples
- always向来 (always / all along): he他always向来punctual守时。; 这家inn店always向来business生意degree / adjective linker很good好。
- Read the whole clause before choosing a translation. The examples show the pattern in use; the context below determines what the speaker claims.
A colleague is normally punctual, but today has not arrived. What does 他向来准时，今天怎么还没来？ communicate?
The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception. A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception. 向来准时 does not make 今天迟到 grammatically impossible.
Follow the speaker
he他always向来punctual准时。
- In the opening situation: he他always向来punctual准时，today今天how / why怎么still / also还not / haven't没to come来？
- The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Using the pattern named in this lesson: He's always punctual: 他 ____ 准时。
向来(都) + Verb = always / all along: 他向来准时.
向来 can summarise an established habit, even when the next clause describes an exception.
他向来准时，今天却迟到了 contrasts a usual habit with today. The exception does not break the grammar.
Check the limit of the explanation
- A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception.
- always向来punctual准时 does not make today今天to arrive late迟到 grammatically impossible.
向来准时 means that a later sentence may never mention an exception.
A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception. 向来准时 does not make 今天迟到 grammatically impossible. The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Repair the form before interpreting it
- The form towards向(completed / change)了to come来punctual准时 needs repair here. Write always向来punctual准时 instead; keep the word or frame in its demonstrated order.
- Form and meaning are separate checks. After the repair, explain the sentence in its situation rather than treating a familiar translation as a universal rule.
Rewrite the demonstrated repair exactly: 向了来准时
The demonstrated form is 向来准时. The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Keep the distinction
- The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception. Check the relevant speaker, time or group in the surrounding context.
- A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception. always向来punctual准时 does not make today今天to arrive late迟到 grammatically impossible.
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Adverbs.
向来 describes…
向来 = consistently, all along: 我向来不喝酒.
A colleague is normally punctual, but today has not arrived. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.