at some times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at some times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs during certain periods or occasions, but not consistently. Example: "At some times, I find it difficult to concentrate on my work due to distractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was much worse at some times prior to 2000.

Columbia University

It may require, at some times, slightly longer waiting times.

Cornell University

Had a lot of room to roam at some times.

The New York Times

"It does get out of control at some times".

Independent

His defense was confused and, at some times, inept.

The New York Times - Sports

"At some times we didn't have anything to eat.

The New York Times

It is apt to come irregularly, at some times and places not at all.

The Economist

What that means is that austerity may hurt much more at some times than others.

The Economist

And such conditions no doubt exist in some sectors at some places at some times.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

So [UNINTELLIGIBLE] at some time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Everyone experiences pain at some time.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at some times" to indicate that an event or condition is not constant, providing flexibility in describing situations that vary. For clarity, follow it with specific details or examples.

Common error

While acceptable, "at some times" can sound less sophisticated in formal contexts. Opt for more concise synonyms like "sometimes" or "occasionally" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at some times" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action or state occurs. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatical and usable in written English. It specifies the timing of events, mirroring similar phrases found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "at some times" serves to indicate that an event or condition occurs intermittently, without specifying precise regularity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. While versatile, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts and less so in formal scientific writing, where greater precision is usually preferred. For clarity, consider more concise synonyms like "sometimes" or "occasionally", particularly in formal settings. Usage guidance suggests providing specific examples to enhance understanding when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometimes

A more concise and frequently used synonym for "at some times".

on occasion

Similar to "at some times" but emphasizes a specific event or instance.

from time to time

More emphatic than "at some times", suggesting irregular but repeated instances.

at certain moments

Focuses on particular instances rather than a general period.

occasionally

Single-word adverb conveying less formality than "at some times".

during select periods

Emphasizes that something occurs during specific, chosen times.

now and then

Informal way of saying "at some times", indicating sporadic happenings.

every so often

Suggests less frequent and more random occurrences than "at some times".

periodically

Implies a recurrence at regular intervals, unlike the less structured "at some times".

at intervals

Highlights the space or time between occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "at some times" in a sentence?

You can use "at some times" to indicate that something occurs during certain periods but not consistently. For example, "At some times, the traffic is heavier than usual."

What are some alternatives to "at some times"?

Alternatives include "sometimes", "occasionally", or "from time to time", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "at some time" or "at some times"?

"At some time" refers to a single unspecified point, while "at some times" refers to multiple instances. The choice depends on whether you're referring to one occasion or several.

What's the difference between "at times" and "at some times"?

"At times" is a slightly more common and concise variant, generally interchangeable with "at some times". Both indicate that something happens occasionally but not always.