he sometimes is

USAGE SUMMARY

'he sometimes is' is a perfectly acceptable sentence in written English.
You can use this sentence to describe a person who is sometimes a certain way, for example: "John is usually serious, but he sometimes is a lot of fun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Tabarez was, as he sometimes is, in gentle, philosophical mood last night.

Independent

He sometimes is teased by his co-workers with the nickname "100".

The New York Times - Magazine

Although he sometimes is deceived by tall tales, Huck is a shrewd judge of character.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Charm is a chore, though he was not at all crabby — as he sometimes is — when we met.

The New Yorker

I've warned him against aggressiveness and against being impolite, which he sometimes is.

The New York Times

Flamboyant though he sometimes is, Mr. Gehry can also work almost anonymously.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Proud and mistaken as he sometimes was, he gives an overall impression of sincerity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He can sometimes be harsh.

The New York Times

He can sometimes be extremely candid".

The New Yorker

Personally generous he may sometimes be.

The Guardian - Opinion

This Albrecht was not the cad he can sometimes be.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he sometimes is" to indicate that a characteristic or behavior is not constant, but occurs intermittently. It is most effective when contrasting it with his usual state or typical behavior to show a change or exception.

Common error

Avoid using "he sometimes is" when describing constant or near-constant states. This phrase implies the characteristic is occasional, not typical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he sometimes is" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a particular state or condition applies to the subject intermittently. Ludwig examples show its use in describing behaviors or characteristics that are not constant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he sometimes is" serves as a qualifier, indicating that a state or characteristic applies to an individual intermittently. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It's commonly found across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure you're accurately portraying an occasional occurrence, not a constant state. Consider alternatives like "he occasionally is" or "he at times is" to fine-tune the specific nuance of frequency you intend to convey. Avoiding its use when describing constant states is key to maintaining clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he occasionally is

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally", suggesting a less frequent occurrence.

he at times is

Replaces "sometimes" with "at times", offering a more concise alternative.

he now and then is

Uses the idiom "now and then" instead of "sometimes", implying irregular intervals.

he from time to time is

Substitutes "sometimes" with "from time to time", indicating sporadic instances.

he periodically is

Replaces "sometimes" with "periodically", suggesting occurrences at regular intervals.

he every so often is

Employs "every so often" in place of "sometimes", conveying infrequent happenings.

he on occasion is

Uses "on occasion" instead of "sometimes", indicating rare instances.

he sporadically is

Indicates that actions happen at unpredictable intervals.

he uniquely is

Implies that his actions are out of character.

he uniquely can be

Adding "can be" enhances the nuance that unique behavior is a possibility.

FAQs

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

Use "he sometimes is" to indicate an action or state that occurs occasionally, not regularly. For example: "He is usually reserved, but "he sometimes is" quite talkative when excited."

What phrases are similar to "he sometimes is"?

Similar phrases include "he occasionally is", "he at times is", or "he from time to time is". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about frequency.

Is it correct to say "he is sometimes" instead of "he sometimes is"?

While both are grammatically correct, "he sometimes is" emphasizes the occasional nature of the state being described. "He is sometimes" is also acceptable but may sound less emphatic.

When should I avoid using "he sometimes is"?

Avoid using "he sometimes is" if you want to describe a quality or action that is always or very frequently true. In those cases, a phrase like "he usually is" or "he often is" would be more appropriate.