but sometimes not

USAGE SUMMARY

"but sometimes not" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something only happens intermittently or not at all. For example: I try to make healthier eating choices, but sometimes not.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But sometimes not".

The New York Times

They exist, but sometimes not for long.

The Economist

"But sometimes not every good turn works out".

The New York Times

Sometimes she shares this with her husband, but sometimes not.

The New York Times - Health

Chinese was taught too, but sometimes not until later grades.

The New York Times

Moral courage comes in many forms, but sometimes not at all.

The New York Times

Frank want to believe him, but sometimes not so easy to do.

The New Yorker

Second, regions of climate, vegetation, and soils coincide generally but sometimes not precisely.

Britannica

Once in a while dramatic events are recorded, but sometimes not by the diarists themselves.

The New York Times - Arts

Occasionally we'd hear about the No. 1 pick, but sometimes not.

The New York Times

"Sometimes not the best idea in the world, but sometimes not so bad".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but sometimes not" to introduce a specific exception to a general statement, adding nuance and accuracy to your writing. For instance, "I usually prefer tea, but sometimes not when I'm craving coffee."

Common error

Avoid using "but sometimes not" as a crutch to soften contradictory statements without providing sufficient context. Be clear about the conditions or situations where the 'not' applies to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but sometimes not" functions as a conjunctional phrase, introducing a contrast or exception to a preceding statement. It indicates that while something is generally true, there are instances where it does not hold. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but sometimes not" is a versatile conjunctional phrase used to introduce exceptions or qualifications to a general statement. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use it judiciously, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity by providing sufficient context for the exceptions being introduced. Using alternatives like "however not always" or "although not necessarily" can provide a different tone, depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet occasionally not

Replaces "but" with "yet" and "sometimes" with "occasionally", emphasizing the contrast with a less frequent occurrence.

however, not always

Uses "however" to introduce the contrast and "not always" to indicate the exception, providing a slightly more formal tone.

though not invariably

Replaces "but" with "though" and "sometimes" with "invariably", creating a more formal and nuanced expression of the exception.

although not necessarily

Similar to "though not invariably" but uses "necessarily" to highlight that the exception isn't a given.

but not necessarily always

Adds "necessarily" and "always" to emphasize that the preceding statement doesn't hold true in all circumstances.

still, not always the case

Employs "still" for contrast and specifies that the preceding statement "not always the case", making the exception explicit.

yet not consistently

Uses "yet" for contrast and "not consistently" to indicate that the preceding statement doesn't hold true on a regular basis.

however, exceptions exist

Uses "however" to show a contrast and "exceptions exist" which acknowledges the possibility of specific cases where it does not apply.

even so, it varies

Expresses contrast using "even so" and indicate variable outcomes with "it varies".

nonetheless, there are exceptions

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" for stronger contrast, while indicating the presence of exceptions to the general rule.

FAQs

How can I use "but sometimes not" in a sentence?

Use "but sometimes not" to introduce an exception to a general statement. For example, "I enjoy exercising, "but sometimes not" when I'm really tired."

What are some alternatives to "but sometimes not"?

Alternatives include "however not always", "yet occasionally not", or "although not necessarily", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "however, not always" instead of "but sometimes not"?

Yes, "however, not always" tends to be more formal than "but sometimes not", which is suitable for more casual contexts.

When is it best to use "but sometimes not" versus "but not always"?

"But sometimes not" implies that the exception occurs less frequently, while "but not always" suggests the exception might be more common. The choice depends on the frequency you want to convey.