can be sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be sometimes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It's often used to indicate that something happens on certain occasions, rather than all the time. For example: "This shopping centre can be sometimes crowded on weekends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that can be sometimes annoying.

Yale University

I forget how devious children can be sometimes.

The Guardian

"Look how life can be sometimes," she said.

The New York Times

As debilitating as disease can be, sometimes it acts as a teacher.

Harvard University

Another prison incident illustrates this - and is an indication of how exasperating it can be sometimes.

Independent

You just don't realise how small the world can be sometimes".

Independent

And as painful as that can be sometimes, most Russians have made peace with their choice.

The New York Times

I underestimated how in-your-face I can be sometimes, because of my own enthusiasm.

The New York Times - Arts

Delicious as gossip can be, sometimes it is just too much information.

The New York Times - Books

Even in books as passionate as this one can be, sometimes less is more.

The New York Times - Books

When their horns start to grow, the calves start to look like the little devils they can be sometimes.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be sometimes" to indicate that something is possible but not always the case. This adds nuance and precision to your writing, making it clear that the situation is not constant.

Common error

Avoid using "can be sometimes" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your text sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "occasionally", "at times", or "from time to time" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be sometimes" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or possibility of a state or action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it denotes that something happens on certain occasions rather than consistently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be sometimes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that adds nuance to your writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage to indicate that something occurs occasionally rather than consistently. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including news, academic, and scientific writing. While versatile, be mindful of overuse and consider using synonyms like "occasionally" or "at times" to maintain clarity and engagement. Its primary function is to qualify statements by specifying the frequency of an event or condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can occasionally be

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally", indicating less frequency.

can at times be

Substitutes "sometimes" with "at times", suggesting irregularity.

can now and then be

Uses the idiom "now and then" for a less formal tone.

can from time to time be

Employs "from time to time" to emphasize non-routine occurrences.

can on occasion be

Replaces "sometimes" with "on occasion", indicating a more formal setting.

can happen occasionally

Shifts the focus to the event happening rather than the state of being.

can be intermittent

Indicates that something stops and starts at irregular intervals.

can periodically be

Suggests occurrences at regular but not constant intervals.

can be erratically

Indicates unpredictable or irregular occurrences.

can be by chance

Emphasizes the randomness of the event.

FAQs

How do I use "can be sometimes" in a sentence?

Use "can be sometimes" to indicate that something is possible or happens occasionally, but not always. For instance, "The traffic "can be sometimes" heavy during rush hour" suggests that the traffic is not always heavy, but it happens occasionally during rush hour.

What are some alternatives to "can be sometimes"?

You can use alternatives like "occasionally be", "at times be", or "from time to time be" to express similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

Is it redundant to use "can be sometimes"?

While "can" already implies possibility, "sometimes" clarifies the frequency. Using ""can be sometimes"" isn't necessarily redundant if you want to emphasize that something doesn't happen all the time, but only on certain occasions.

What's the difference between "can be sometimes" and "is sometimes"?

"Can be sometimes" indicates a possibility that something occurs occasionally, whereas "is sometimes" states a fact that something occurs occasionally. The former suggests a potential, while the latter confirms an intermittent occurrence.