but sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

"but sometimes" is a perfectly valid and useful phrase in written English.
It is a way to introduce an idea which may contrast with what was previously said. For example, "I generally prefer to read books, but sometimes I'll watch a movie instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But sometimes they are.

The New York Times

But sometimes I forget.

Independent

But sometimes it's difficult".

The New York Times - Sports

But? Sometimes it explodes.

The New Yorker

But sometimes it happens.

The New York Times

But sometimes they don't.

The Economist

But sometimes it won't.

The New York Times

But sometimes, inexperience shows.

The New York Times - Sports

But sometimes they forget.

The Economist

But sometimes, it's true.

The New York Times - Food

But, sometimes, they win.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but sometimes" to introduce a contrasting idea or exception to a general statement, adding nuance and accuracy to your writing. For example, "The forecast predicts sunshine, but sometimes unexpected showers occur."

Common error

Avoid overuse of "but sometimes" in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "yet occasionally" or "although not always" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but sometimes" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a contrast or exception to a previously stated idea, modifying the clause that follows. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but sometimes" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce exceptions or contrasts to general statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used. It functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, adding nuance to writing across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's important to avoid overuse, "but sometimes" serves as a valuable tool for conveying precise and balanced information. Alternatives such as "although not always" or "yet occasionally" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although not always

States clearly that something isn't consistent, implying exceptions.

while at times

Offers a slightly more casual alternative, suggesting occasional instances.

but from time to time

Indicates something happens periodically.

though infrequently

Emphasizes the rarity of the contrasting instance.

still on occasion

Implies that the contrasting event happens, but not regularly.

yet occasionally

Maintains a formal tone while emphasizing the infrequency of the exception.

even so occasionally

Maintains a formal tone emphasizing occasional occurrence despite something else.

however sporadically

Highlights the irregular nature of the occurrence.

nevertheless now and then

Introduces a more conversational tone, indicating occasional exceptions.

yet every so often

It's an informal way to say that something happens sometimes but not very often.

FAQs

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

Use "but sometimes" to introduce a contrasting element or an exception to a general statement. For example: "He usually walks to work, "but sometimes" he takes the bus when it rains."

What are some alternatives to "but sometimes"?

You can use alternatives like "yet occasionally", "although not always", or "still on occasion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While it's generally acceptable, starting a sentence with "but" can sometimes be stylistically discouraged, especially in formal writing. Using alternatives such as "however occasionally" at the beginning of a sentence can enhance formality.

What's the difference between "but sometimes" and "but often"?

"But sometimes" indicates that something happens occasionally, while "but often" suggests a more frequent occurrence. The choice depends on the actual frequency you want to convey.