but only sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

'but only sometimes' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something only happens occasionally or in certain circumstances. For example: I enjoy going for a run, but only sometimes on the weekends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

The off-duty light means off-duty, but only sometimes.

The New York Times

Fortune favours the brave, they say – but only sometimes.

The Guardian - Business

Some times it achieves depths, but only sometimes.

The New Yorker

These dishes suggest a kitchen that likes to play, but only sometimes are its reinventions successful.

The New York Times

Failed states always cause misery, but only sometimes are they a global threat.

The Economist

And then, sometimes, to service all those requirements — but only sometimes now — you need a star.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But… only sometimes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

From this perspective, the multitasking capabilities of today's computers are sometimes a form of augmentation but only sometimes.

The New Yorker

De-radicalisation once the jihadists are back home is a nice idea, but will only sometimes succeed.

The Economist

The old ones were well toasted, but the new ones are only sometimes crisp.

The New Yorker

That's fine if you're some executive on an expense account, but steep if you only sometimes travel.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but only sometimes" to introduce a contrasting scenario that occurs less frequently than the initial statement. It's helpful for adding nuance and qualifications to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but only sometimes" repeatedly within a short passage. This can make your writing sound repetitive and undermine the points you're trying to make. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but only sometimes" functions as a conjunctional phrase, introducing a qualification or contrasting element to a preceding statement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates that something is not always the case, or occurs infrequently.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but only sometimes" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to qualify statements by indicating that they are not universally true, as validated by Ludwig. It is typically found in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications. It serves to introduce exceptions or less frequent occurrences, offering a more accurate and nuanced representation of reality. While "but just sometimes" and "but only intermittently" serve as viable substitutes, the original phrase remains a versatile and commonly used option. Avoid overuse in close proximity. It is important to consider and understand its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but just sometimes

Replaces "only" with "just", slightly softening the emphasis on the infrequency.

but only intermittently

Replaces "sometimes" with "intermittently", emphasizing the irregular nature of the occurrence.

but only partly

Similar to "but only partially", focusing on the incomplete nature of something.

but only partially

Shifts the focus from frequency to degree, indicating that something is only partly true or effective.

but only ever

Emphasizes the limited scope or conditions under which something happens.

but only incidentally

Indicates that something occurs as a secondary or unplanned consequence.

but only potentially

Highlights the possibility rather than the actuality of something happening.

but only possibly

Similar to "but only potentially", emphasizing the uncertainty of occurrence.

but only further

Indicates that something is only adding to a previous condition.

but only once

Refers to a unique case with a strong emphasis on it not being frequent at all.

FAQs

How can I use "but only sometimes" in a sentence?

"But only sometimes" is used to introduce a contrasting instance that doesn't happen as often as the main scenario. For instance, "I enjoy going to the gym, "but only sometimes" on weekends".

What are some alternatives to "but only sometimes"?

Alternatives include phrases like "but just sometimes", "but only intermittently", or "but only partially", each providing a slightly different nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but only sometimes"?

While grammatically permissible, starting a sentence with "but only sometimes" might sound awkward. It's generally better to use it within a clause to connect contrasting ideas more smoothly.

What's the difference between "but only sometimes" and "but not always"?

"But only sometimes" implies a lower frequency than "but not always". The former suggests the event is infrequent, whereas the latter simply indicates it doesn't occur in every instance.