I sometimes call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I sometimes call" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an action that you do occasionally or infrequently. Example: "I sometimes call my friend to catch up." Alternative expressions include "I occasionally call" and "I sometimes reach out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I sometimes call it working on wonders.

The New York Times

I sometimes call it Penny.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I sometimes call myself Angelina Scarangella, which won't.

The New Yorker

That's why I sometimes call him "Shifting Sands".

The Guardian

And a superfecta is a bet on the first four ponies, or as I sometimes call it, "the bet where I lost $48".

The New York Times - Style

"It really is open to interpretation by anybody, in what I sometimes call the lawyerhood of all citizens," said Sanford Levinson, a law professor at the University of Texas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In Shannon's formulation, for a random variable X defined on a discrete alphabet with probability mass function p(x), the information, q i, sometimes called the surprisal, obtained from an event x i is given, in bits, by Eq. 1. q i = − lo g 2 ( p ( x i ) ) (1).

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Or Billionaire as I sometimes called him in bed.

The Guardian - Books

And I loved him — the old man, as I sometimes called him (to his face) and I think — I know — that he was proud of me, and that he loved me, too.

The New Yorker

But if I have to walk alone and feel someone is watching or following me, I'll sometimes call my parents and just have a chat.

Vice

The summer before eighth grade, I would sometimes call our therapist to find out how he was doing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I sometimes call", ensure it accurately reflects the frequency with which you use the alternative name or term. Overusing it can diminish its intended impact.

Common error

Avoid using "I sometimes call" when you consistently use a particular name or term. Using it to suggest a less frequent name when it's the primary way you refer to something can be confusing or misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I sometimes call" functions as an introductory expression used to present an alternative name, nickname, or description that is not the primary or only one. It modifies the subsequent noun or noun phrase, indicating that it's used occasionally rather than consistently. This is confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I sometimes call" is a grammatically correct and neutrally registered introductory expression. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to present an alternative or secondary name for something, indicating that it's not the only or most frequent way the speaker refers to it. It is commonly found in contexts like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business. While acceptable, it's important to accurately reflect the frequency with which you use the alternative name to avoid misleading the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I occasionally refer to it as

Replaces 'sometimes call' with 'occasionally refer to', emphasizing the infrequency and nature of the naming.

I periodically name it

Substitutes 'sometimes call' with 'periodically name', focusing on the periodic aspect of the naming.

I now and then call it

Uses the idiomatic expression 'now and then' to replace 'sometimes', indicating occasional usage.

I designate it as, at times

Employs 'designate it as' to signify naming and 'at times' to convey the occasional nature.

I dub it every so often

Replaces 'call' with 'dub' and 'sometimes' with 'every so often', both indicating occasional naming.

I label it sporadically

Uses 'label' instead of 'call' and 'sporadically' in place of 'sometimes', stressing the inconsistent nature of the action.

I might call it

Expresses the possibility of calling something a name, suggesting it's not a regular habit.

I will sometimes name it

Expresses the possibility of naming something.

I infrequently call it

Replaces 'sometimes' with 'infrequently', directly indicating the rarity of the action.

I only call it every so often

Indicates that you do not call the object something all the time, but rather, infrequently.

FAQs

What does "I sometimes call" mean?

The phrase "I sometimes call" indicates that you occasionally use a particular name, nickname, or term for something or someone, but it's not the only or primary way you refer to it.

How can I use "I sometimes call" in a sentence?

You can use "I sometimes call" to introduce an alternative name or description that you don't use all the time. For example: "My bicycle is my favorite way to get around, "I sometimes call" it Penny."

What are some alternatives to "I sometimes call"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I occasionally refer to it as", "I periodically name it", or "I designate it as, at times" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I sometimes called" instead of "I sometimes call"?

The phrase "I sometimes called" is the past tense version of "I sometimes call". It indicates that you used to occasionally use a particular name, but you might not anymore, while ""I sometimes call"" indicates that you use it from time to time in the present.