he is sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is sometimes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to emphasize that something happens only occasionally or only in certain situations. For example: "He is sometimes late for work, but he usually arrives on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he is sometimes too lenient.

The Economist

He is sometimes called Zeus.

The Guardian

But he is sometimes spotted in schools.

The New York Times

He is sometimes not counted in regnal lists of Norway.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is sometimes referred to as the fifth Stone.

The New York Times

Off the field he is sometimes capable of incredible behaviour.

Independent

He is sometimes called the father of world music.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"He is sometimes writing wishful thinking," Talabani said of Galbraith.

The New Yorker

He emits concern; he is sometimes hesitant and furrowed.

The Guardian

He is sometimes described as "bourgeois" or "establishment".

The Guardian

Mr. Wells says he is sometimes mystified by Libra's critics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is sometimes" to indicate that an action or state is not consistent or constant. This can add nuance to your writing by avoiding generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "he is sometimes" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and weaken your message. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "occasionally" or "at times".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is sometimes" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency of the verb "is". It modifies the state or action being described, suggesting it occurs intermittently rather than consistently. Ludwig AI indicates it is perfectly usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is sometimes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to qualify statements and indicate that an action or state occurs intermittently. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and various other forms of media, as exemplified by the provided examples. When using "he is sometimes", consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "occasionally" or "at times" to prevent repetition and maintain reader engagement. Remember, it's crucial to use "he is sometimes" when you want to emphasize that something only happens from time to time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he occasionally is

Changes the word order and replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally".

he at times is

Substitutes "sometimes" with "at times".

he on occasion is

Replaces "sometimes" with "on occasion".

he from time to time is

Replaces "sometimes" with the longer phrase "from time to time".

he now and then is

Uses the idiom "now and then" in place of "sometimes".

he is intermittently

Replaces "sometimes" with the single word "intermittently".

he will sometimes be

Adds "will" to express future possibility.

he might occasionally be

Adds "might" to suggest possibility with "occasionally".

he every so often is

Uses the less common "every so often" instead of "sometimes".

he periodically is

Substitutes "sometimes" with "periodically", implying a recurring pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "he is sometimes" in a sentence?

You can use "he is sometimes" to indicate that someone performs an action or experiences a state occasionally, such as "He is sometimes late, but he always makes up for it".

What are some alternatives to "he is sometimes"?

Alternatives include phrases like "occasionally", "at times", or "from time to time", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he is sometimes"?

Yes, "he is sometimes" is grammatically correct. The adverb "sometimes" correctly modifies the verb "is" to indicate frequency.

What's the difference between "he is sometimes" and "he is often"?

"He is sometimes" indicates a less frequent occurrence than "he is often". "He is often" suggests the action or state happens regularly, while "he is sometimes" implies it happens only occasionally.