can sometimes be

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "can sometimes be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this when you want to suggest that something may or may not happen on certain occasions. For example, "The weather in March can sometimes be unpredictable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He can sometimes be harsh.

The New York Times

This can sometimes be amusing.

The New York Times

He can sometimes be extremely candid".

The New Yorker

The associations can sometimes be surprisingly Romantic.

The New York Times - Arts

C.D.S. contracts can sometimes be prohibitively expensive.

The New Yorker

Their performances can sometimes be technically spotty.

The New York Times - Arts

The kitchen can sometimes be slow.

The New York Times

Still, the process can sometimes be confusing.

The New York Times - Tech

The choices can sometimes be tough.

The Economist

Good policy can sometimes be good politics.

The Economist

Weprin can sometimes be an awkward communicator.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can sometimes be" to express that something is possible but not always the case. This avoids making overly strong or definitive statements.

Common error

Avoid using "can sometimes be" excessively in your writing, as it can make your prose sound hesitant and weaken your arguments. Opt for more direct language when certainty is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can sometimes be" functions as a modal auxiliary expressing possibility or occasional occurrence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it softens statements, implying that something is not always true but has the potential to happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can sometimes be" is a versatile expression used to indicate possibility and occasional occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. While prevalent in News & Media, Science, and general contexts, it is best to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact. Remember to consider alternatives like "may occasionally be" or "might rarely be" to convey subtle differences in meaning. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "can sometimes be" to add depth and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can at times be

Replaces "sometimes" with "at times", offering a more formal tone.

may occasionally be

Replaces "can" with "may" and "sometimes" with "occasionally", softening the certainty.

could potentially be

Replaces "sometimes" with "potentially", emphasizing possibility rather than frequency.

might rarely be

Substitutes "can" with "might" and "sometimes" with "rarely", indicating a lower probability.

is sometimes able to be

Adds "able to", highlighting the capacity for something to happen on occasion.

can infrequently be

Replaces "sometimes" with "infrequently" indicating something doesn't happen often.

occasionally happens to be

Shifts the structure to emphasize the occurrence rather than the possibility.

is known to sometimes be

Highlights that it is generally known that sometimes something can be.

is liable to be

Indicates a tendency or likelihood, rather than a mere possibility.

tends to be on occasion

Focuses on the tendency for something to occur, specifically on occasion.

FAQs

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

The phrase "can sometimes be" is used to indicate that something is possible or happens occasionally, but not always. For example, "The weather in this region "can sometimes be" unpredictable."

What are some alternatives to "can sometimes be"?

You can use alternatives like "may occasionally be", "might rarely be", or "could potentially be" depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is "can sometimes to be" grammatically correct?

No, "can sometimes to be" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "can sometimes be". The infinitive "to be" is not needed after the modal verb "can".

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

"Can sometimes be" indicates that something happens occasionally, whereas "is usually" implies that something happens more often than not. The former suggests possibility, while the latter suggests a tendency or norm.