although sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "although sometimes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or exception in a statement, indicating that something occurs occasionally despite a general trend. Example: "I enjoy going for long runs, although sometimes I prefer a leisurely walk instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although sometimes it doesn't.

The New York Times - Magazine

Stoneware is very hard and, although sometimes translucent, usually opaque.

Britannica

Parve products are mostly vegan, although sometimes they include eggs.

The Guardian

Although, sometimes, a collar is just a collar.

The New Yorker

Such partnerships are typically accidental, although sometimes anticipated.

The New York Times

Expensive doesn't always mean better, although sometimes it does.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Palmer's editing is brisk, although sometimes a little heavy-handed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Biju's temper is never spoiled, although sometimes he is melancholy.

The New Yorker

"Although sometimes we do say we are in New Orleans.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And although sometimes I still reach the end of my rope, my rope is getting longer.

Huffington Post

Although, sometimes Lady Gaga sings without one, which is fine.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "although sometimes" to introduce a contrast or exception to a general statement. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates the primary trend or condition before introducing the exception.

Common error

Avoid using "although sometimes" when a simple "although" or "sometimes" would suffice. Redundancy can weaken the impact of your writing. For instance, instead of "Although sometimes it rains, the weather is mostly sunny", consider "Although it sometimes rains, the weather is mostly sunny" or "Sometimes it rains, but the weather is mostly sunny."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "although sometimes" functions as a concessive conjunction, introducing a clause that presents a contrast or exception to the main statement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable expression. It highlights that the contrasting situation happens only occasionally, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

23%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "although sometimes" is a useful conjunction to introduce exceptions or contrasts that occur infrequently, as validated by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure it provides a necessary nuance and avoids redundancy with simpler alternatives like "although" or "sometimes". Ludwig's analysis shows the phrase is most common in News & Media and Academic sources. Remember to clearly establish the primary condition before introducing the occasional exception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though occasionally

Replaces "although" with "even though" and "sometimes" with "occasionally", maintaining the concessive and infrequent nature.

while not always

Uses "while" to introduce the contrast and "not always" to convey the occasional exception.

though infrequently

Substitutes "although" with "though" and "sometimes" with "infrequently" to indicate a less frequent occurrence.

even if sporadically

Replaces "although" with "even if" and "sometimes" with "sporadically", suggesting an irregular occurrence.

however, on occasion

Uses "however" as a contrasting conjunction and "on occasion" to indicate that something happens occasionally.

despite occasional instances

Employs "despite" to show contrast and "occasional instances" to convey that something occurs from time to time.

in spite of sporadic moments

Similar to the previous phrase, but emphasizes the unexpected nature of the moments.

even when not always

Implies that something happens even when a certain condition is not consistently met.

while occasionally

A more succinct expression to introduce a contrast that happens from time to time.

though now and then

Expresses the same concept of occasional contrast using a more colloquial term, "now and then".

FAQs

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

Use "although sometimes" to introduce a situation that contrasts with a previous statement, indicating that something happens occasionally despite a general trend. For example: "I prefer coffee, "although sometimes" I enjoy tea".

What phrases are similar to "although sometimes"?

Similar phrases include "even though occasionally", "while not always", or "though infrequently". These alternatives express a concessive idea with an element of infrequent occurrence.

Is it better to use "although sometimes" or just "although"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "although" when introducing a general contrast. Use "although sometimes" when specifically highlighting that the contrasting situation occurs only occasionally. For example, "Although the work is challenging, it is rewarding" versus "Although sometimes the work is tedious, it is generally rewarding".

What is the difference between "although sometimes" and "even though occasionally"?

"Although sometimes" and "even though occasionally" are largely interchangeable. "Even though" might imply a stronger sense of surprise or unexpectedness, while "although" is a more neutral connector.