一直
yì zhí
Expressing "all along" with "yizhi"
一直 means continuously, without a break — over time or in a straight line.
Subj. + 一直 + Predicate
How it works
我一直在现在的公司工作 — I've worked at my current company the whole time.
It also means "straight on" in directions: 一直走.
一直 covers an unbroken stretch; 总是 covers something that happens every time. They aren't interchangeable.
Examples
wǒ yì zhí zài xiàn zài de gōng sī gōng zuò
我一直在现在的公司工作。
I've worked at my current company all along.
tā yì zhí méi gěi wǒ dǎ diàn huà
他一直没给我打电话。
He never did call me.
yì zhí zǒu, rán hòu wǎng yòu guǎi
一直走，然后往右拐。
Go straight on, then turn right.