at times why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at times why" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought or a fragment that lacks context for proper usage. Example: "At times why I question my choices is a mystery to me."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

And yet one can't help wondering at times why this play exists at all.

The New Yorker

But I need to know at times why I am doing this.

The New Yorker

One wonders, at times, why Angier chose Levi as a subject — she seems to find him so peculiar.

The New Yorker

During Wednesday's afternoon match in Louis Armstrong stadium, Vandeweghe showed at times why many consider her an heir-apparent to the Williams sisters.

The New York Times

Indeed, one wonders at times why Keneally, the author of 21 works of fiction, including "Schindler's List" and "The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith," did not simply write "American Scoundrel" as a novel.

The New York Times - Books

I wondered at times why he, or anyone, would want to win office.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

So, if memory for events is strengthened at emotional times, why does everyone forget what they were doing when the Challenger exploded?

The New Yorker

You will wonder at other times why your son hates you.

Huffington Post

He explained, at length, five times, why his company had paid such a huge sum to Gordon Taylor of the PFA.

The Guardian

I was a bit angry at her at the time, why couldn't she just accept it?

BBC

She told her dad (who was also at the booth) at the time, why don't they make sticks that warm your hands?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Rephrase sentences using "at times" to ensure grammatical correctness. Instead of asking "at times why", consider asking "why, at times", or restructuring the sentence to "I sometimes wonder why".

Common error

Avoid placing "at times" directly before "why" in questions. This often creates an awkward and grammatically incorrect sentence. Instead, separate the two phrases or use alternative constructions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at times why" functions as an incomplete expression, often indicating a question that needs further grammatical structure. Ludwig AI highlights its lack of grammatical correctness, suggesting it typically requires rephrasing to form a complete thought.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at times why" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended purpose is to question intermittent causes, but it requires restructuring for clarity. Better alternatives include "Why, at times..." or rephrasing the sentence entirely. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing to maintain grammatical precision. This is why careful sentence construction is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why sometimes

Reverses the order and introduces "sometimes" for a more direct question about reasons.

why on occasion

Substitutes "at times" with "on occasion" to express infrequent reasoning.

the reason sometimes is

Introduces a more descriptive and explanatory structure.

why is it occasionally

Emphasizes the occasional nature of the question being asked.

the occasional reason for

Highlights the infrequency of the reason or cause.

why now and then

Uses the idiom "now and then" to convey the sporadic nature of the questioning.

reasoning behind occasional

Focuses on the reasoning or justification for something that happens occasionally.

why sporadically

Specifies a scattered or isolated occurrence

the purpose occasionally

Examines the intent or goal behind sporadic activities

the intermittent explanation

Highlights irregular or inconsistent cause

FAQs

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

To use "at times" correctly, ensure it modifies a verb or adjective, indicating frequency. For example, "I feel uncertain, "at times"", which is different than the incorrect usage of "at times why".

What's a better way to phrase a question that includes the idea of "at times why"?

Instead of "at times why", try rephrasing your question to something like "Why is it that "sometimes"...", or "Why, "on occasion", does..." to improve clarity and grammar.

Is there a difference between saying "at times why" and "why at times"?

While neither is ideal, "why at times" is slightly better as it separates "why" and "at times", reducing the awkwardness. However, restructuring the sentence is recommended for better grammar. Consider alternatives like "Why does it happen "occasionally"?".

What are some alternatives to "at times" that I can use in my writing?

Alternatives to "at times" include ""sometimes"", ""occasionally"", "periodically", or "now and then". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.