I. 一直(yīzhí=straight) can be used to follow the directions.
Example 1:
Go straight ahead about 2 km, turn right.
一直(yīzhí=straight)往前走(wǎngqián zǒu=to go straight)大概(dàgài=about)两(liǎng=two)公里(gōnglǐ=km)左右(zuǒyòu=about)右拐(yòuguǎi=turn right)。
II.一直(yīzhí=continuously) is used to express the continuous state that was not repeated. It can be only one period or non-stop period.
Example 1a:
Yesterday she was always (continuously) at home. (one period)
昨天(zuótiān=yesterday)她(tā=she)一直(yīzhí= continuously)在(zài=at)家(jiā=home)。
Compared with Example 1b:
She is always (continuously) at home. (every day – non stop period)
她(tā=she)一直(yīzhí= continuously)在(zài=at)家(jiā=home)。
Compare with Example 1c:
She is always (often) at home. (80% at home – not every day – for normal things)
她(tā=she)总是(zǒngshì=always -for normal things) 在(zài=at)家(jiā=home)。
Compare with Example 1d:
She is always (often) at home. (80% at home – not every day – for negative or dislike things)
她(tā=she)老是(lǎoshi=always -for negative things or dislike things) 在(zài=at)家(jiā=home)。
III.一直(yīzhí=continuously) is used to express feeling.
Example 1a:
Why you always continuously like him? (non stop – every day)
你(nǐ=you)为什么(wèishénme=why)一直(yīzhí=continuously)喜欢(xǐhuan=like)他(tā=him)?
You cannot say:
你(nǐ=you)为什么(wèishénme=why)总是(zǒngshì=always – for normal things)(or 老是(lǎoshi=always – for bad things)) 喜欢(xǐhuan=like)他(tā=him)?
Description:
总是(zǒngshì=always – for normal things)or 老是(lǎoshi=always –for negative or dislike things) cannot be used with feeling words such as 喜欢(xǐhuan=like).
Compare with Example 1b:
Why you always (continuously) say I like him? (non stop – every day)
你(nǐ=you)为什么(wèishénme=why)一直(yīzhí=continuously)说(shuō=say)我(wǒ=I)喜欢(xǐhuan=like)他(tā=him)?
Compare with Example 1c:
Why you always (often) say I like him? (80% – not every day)
你(nǐ=you)为什么(wèishénme=why)总是(zǒngshì=always – for normal things)(or 老是(lǎoshi=always – for negative things)) 说(shuō=say)我(wǒ=I)喜欢(xǐhuan=like)他(tā=him)?
Description:
总是(zǒngshì)or 老是(lǎoshi) can be used with Verb (not feeling words). If you think, this is a normal thing, use总是(zǒngshì), and vice versa.
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