Word order

1- I don't always go to the movies in the morning.
2- I always don't go to the movies in the morning.

I think they are fine. I have a preferance to the first one, but number two is ok if I add commas before and after "always" to emphasize. Are they IN any WAY strange to your ears?

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#1 represents the normal, neutral position fo

2- is 'strange' to my ears. It means, I never go . . . ., so use "never".

With adverbs of frequency the general rule of thumb is to place the adverb before the main verb, not the auxiliary:

I always go.
I don't always go.
?I always don't go. (means, "never go")

2. sounds weird too... I'd write "I never go..."
BTW 'I don't always go..." is different: you mean sometimes you go, but sometimes you don't

What about "not always, do I go to..."?

not always = not all the time.
always do not = never do; "not" negates "always do", giving never do.

1- I don't always go to the movies in the morning.
2- I always don't go to the movies in the morning.

I think they are fine. I have a preferance to the first one, but number two is ok if I add commas before and after "always" to emphasize. Are they IN any WAY strange to your ears?

=

#1 represents the normal, neutral position

2- is 'strange' to my ears. It means, I never go . . . ., so use "never".

I agree that "never" sounds better. Well..."always don't" doesn't sound unnatural to my ears though.

Thank you, pieanne.

Mr.C.,
the sentence is equivalent to 1 isn't it? (it was my purpose)

Mr.C.,
the sentence is equivalent to 1 isn't it? (it was my purpose)

Mrs. Maverick, 1. and 2. are indeed different. Note,

1. I do not always ('not' negates 'do')
2. I always do not ('not' negates 'always do', giving never do.