by sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by sometimes" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard expressions or sentences, as it lacks clarity and context. Example: "I find myself confused by sometimes the way people communicate."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Two, three months go by sometimes before I get paid.

The New Yorker

People would drop by, sometimes to Taiga's irritation.

The New York Times - Arts

Toward the end, the bodies are blurred by, sometimes lost in, the fog.

The New York Times - Arts

He was thrilled for his friend, who still drops by sometimes, but not to tend bar.

The New York Times - Sports

He stops by sometimes to check on the bell-tower fund.

The New Yorker

Outlaws and bandits played on these superstitions by sometimes wearing wolfskins over their armour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We've handled him by sometimes not giving him anything to hit.

The New York Times - Sports

Sleep Apnea Q. Sleep apnea is characterized by sometimes hundreds of periods of airway obstruction every night.

The New York Times

Casiokids seek out their market early by sometimes playing to children in kindergartens, augmenting their act with puppet performances.

Independent

Time becomes slippery: sometimes it flies by, sometimes it's like waiting for a five-hour flight to finish.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Indeed, Romário seems to have embraced personal change to the point that passers-by sometimes do a double-take when they see him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "by sometimes" with the simpler and grammatically correct "sometimes" or "occasionally" to improve clarity and adherence to standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "by sometimes" as it introduces unnecessary complexity and doesn't add any unique meaning compared to simply using "sometimes". Choose simpler and more direct phrasing for better communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by sometimes" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to indicate frequency or manner. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect. Its intended function is to express that an action or event occurs occasionally or under certain circumstances, but it's not a standard or accepted usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by sometimes" appears in a variety of sources, including news and media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that standard English prefers alternatives like "sometimes" or "occasionally" for better clarity and adherence to grammatical norms. Although it's frequently used, especially in certain contexts, it's best to opt for grammatically correct alternatives in formal or professional writing. Using phrases like "at times" or "from time to time" ensures clearer and more precise communication. While its communicative purpose is understandable—indicating intermittent actions—its non-standard usage diminishes its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometimes

Simplifies the phrase by removing the preposition "by", making it grammatically correct and widely accepted.

at times

Replaces "by" with "at", offering a more common and grammatically sound way to indicate occasional occurrences.

on occasion

Uses a different prepositional phrase to express the idea of something happening sporadically.

occasionally

Uses an adverb instead of a prepositional phrase to convey the same meaning of something happening from time to time.

now and then

Provides a common idiomatic alternative that indicates infrequent or irregular occurrences.

from time to time

Replaces the entire phrase with a more idiomatic expression that indicates something happens periodically.

every so often

Offers another idiomatic alternative that suggests something occurs at irregular intervals.

periodically

Uses an adverb to convey the idea of something happening at regular intervals.

intermittently

Replaces "by sometimes" with a single adverb describing actions that stop and start at intervals.

sporadically

Employs an adverb indicating that events occur irregularly or infrequently.

FAQs

Is "by sometimes" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "by sometimes" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Simpler alternatives like "sometimes" or "occasionally" are preferred.

What can I use instead of "by sometimes"?

You can use alternatives such as "sometimes", "occasionally", "at times", or "from time to time" depending on the specific context.

How does "by sometimes" differ from "sometimes"?

While "by sometimes" is used in some contexts, it's not grammatically sound. "Sometimes" is a direct adverb that clearly indicates that something happens occasionally, whereas "by sometimes" adds an unnecessary preposition that complicates the sentence structure.

In what contexts might I encounter "by sometimes", and should I use it?

You might encounter "by sometimes" in various writings, but it's advisable to avoid using it in formal or professional contexts. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "sometimes" for clearer communication.