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When indicating an action that often takes place and continues without a stop, all four words can be used.
“always”
e.g.
今天他一直/总/总是/老/老是在说这句话。(Jīntiān tā yīzhí/zǒng/zǒng shì/ lǎo/ lǎo shì zài shuō zhè jù huà.) Today he always says this sentence.
>> The action takes place repeatedly.
这些年他一直/总/总是/老/老是在思念过去的日子。(Zhèxiē nián tā yīzhí/zǒng/zǒng shì/ lǎo /lǎo shì zài sīniàn guòqù de rìzi.) He has been always thinking of the past over the years.
>> The state continues.
“总” “总是” “老” or “老是” means doing something repeatedly or always, invariably.
e.g.
这个字你总/总是/老/老是写错。(Zhège zì nǐ zǒng/zǒng/ lǎo / lǎo shì shì xiě cuò.) You always write this character incorrectly.
每年冬天，他总/总是/老/老是去海南度假。(Měinián dōngtiān, tā zǒng/zǒng shì/ lǎo / lǎo shì qù hǎinán dùjià.) Every winter, he always goes to Hainan for vacation.
你的手总/总是/老/老是那么冷。(Nǐ de shǒu zǒng/zǒng shì/ lǎo / lǎo shì nàme lěng.) Your hands are always so cold.
When emphasizing that the final result must be like this, only “总” can be used.
e.g.
你总会长大的。(Nǐ zǒng huì zhǎng dà de.) You will eventually grow up.
>> 最后一定会长大。
坚持学习，总能得到好结果。(Jiānchí xuéxí, zǒng néng dédào hǎo jiéguǒ.) Persist in learning, you can get good results after all.
>> 最后一定能有好结果。
When emphasizing that something must be done no matter what happens, only “总” can be used.
e.g.
雨太大了，总要等雨停了再回家吧。(Yǔ tài dà le, zǒng yào děng yǔ tíngle zài huí jiā ba.) It’s raining too much, no matter what you have to wait for the rain to stop before you go home.
你已经工作很长时间了，总要吃点东西才行吧。(Nǐ yǐjīng gōngzuò hěn cháng shíjiānle, zǒng yào chī diǎn dōngxi cái xíng ba.) You have been working for a long time, no matter what you have to eat something.
When making an inference or estimation and expressing “about” or “at least”, only “总” can be used.
e.g.
今天你忙，明天你总有时间了吧？(Jīntiān nǐ máng, míngtiān nǐ zǒng yǒu shíjiānle ba?) You are busy today, but you will have time tomorrow, right?
你工作三年了，总有一些钱了吧。(Nǐ gōngzuò sān niánle, zǒng yǒu yīxiē qiánle ba.) You have been working for three years, so you must have some money.
When indicating “always” “doing something repeatedly”, “老是” and “老” have the same uses. But when indicating “high degree”, only “老” can be used.
老 + Adjective + 的
e.g.
老大的年纪 (lǎodà de niánjì) aged
厨房里有老多的食物。(Chúfáng li yǒu lǎo duō de shíwù.) There are lots of food in the kitchen.
今天太阳老大了。(Jīntiān tàiyáng lǎodàle.) It’s quite hot today.
When acting as a prefix and being put before the person, animal or a surname, only “老” can be used.
e.g.
老虎 (lǎohǔ) tiger
老鼠 (lǎoshǔ) mouse
老鹰 (lǎoyīng) eagle
老百姓 (lǎobǎixìng) common people
老王 (lǎo Wáng)
老张 (lǎo Zhāng)
When indicating the ranking in brothers or sisters, only “老” can be used and put before the number (2-10).
e.g.
老大 (lǎo dà)
老二 (lǎo èr)
老五 (lǎo wǔ)
“一直” refers to an action going on without a stop or change.
e.g.
我一直在睡觉，没听到有人来了。(Wǒ yīzhí zài shuìjiào, méi tīng dào yǒurén láile.) I’ve been sleeping and haven’t heard anyone coming.
>> The situation of “being sleeping” has not changed.
今天同学们一直在复习，明天就要考试了。(Jīntiān tóngxuémen yīzhí zài fùxí, míngtiān jiù yào kǎoshìle.) The students have been reviewing today, and the exam will be tomorrow.
>> The students didn’t stop reviewing.
When emphasizing to move on along the same direction without making any turn, only “一直” can be used.
e.g.
你一直往前走，就能看到银行了。(Nǐ yīzhí wǎng qián zǒu, jiù néng kàn dào yínhángle.) If you keep walking forward, you can see the bank.
你这样一直写下去，字就会越写越好。(Nǐ zhèyàng yīzhí xiě xiàqù, zì jiù huì yuè xiě yuè hǎo.) If you keep writing in this way, you will write better and better.
When emphasizing the range, it collocates with “都” or “全”, such as “一直……都……” “一直……全……”. In this case, only “一直” can be used.
e.g.
他从小到大一直都是一个好孩子。(Tā cóngxiǎo dào dà yīzhí dōu shì yīgè hǎo háizi.) He has been a good boy since he was a kid.
从这里一直到那里全是公司的办公室。(Cóng zhèlǐ yīzhí dào nàlǐ quán shì gōngsī de bàngōngshì.) From here to there are all company offices.
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