if not sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if not sometimes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something may occur occasionally or at certain times, often in a context where you are discussing frequency or variability. Example: "He is late to meetings, if not sometimes, often."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"If not, sometimes it's better to forget".

The New York Times

Top talent rolls through though, and it has a rich – if not sometimes grossly weird – gritty history.

The Guardian - Travel

The success of Ms. Brinton's experiment is not that it reveals that New Yorkers can be conned as well as, if not sometimes better than, the citizens in any other burg.

The New York Times

The first is that the culture at large is starting to judge television not as a brain-numbing time-suck but an art form on par with, if not sometimes better than, movies.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The governor, who grew up on a dairy farm in rural Colorado, often came off in public as boyish and geeky, if not sometimes simplistic in his enthusiasms, especially for alternative renewable energy that he hoped would help rebuild and reshape Colorado's economy.

The New York Times

Every morning that I awake and find we have electricity, which continues to be only a few days a week, the first thing I do is get on the Internet and scan American newspapers to get a feel if Israel's closest — if not sometimes only — ally is awakening to the crimes against humanity that are being carried out by Israel with American weapons against Palestinians in Gaza.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The magazine asked if "she did not sometimes wonder how much truth there is in the story that he once said he would renounce his rights upon the death of George V – which would make her nickname come true".

Wikipedia

"I work as hard as they do, they work as hard as I do if not harder sometimes.

The Guardian - Sport

The battle lines were sharply drawn, the campaigns were pitiless, each side had contempt for the others' beliefs; and yet, somehow, on the margins of hostility, a grudging accommodation, if not friendship, sometimes developed.

The New York Times

For what is mental illness if not universal, sometimes prosaic?

Vice

every person vocalises differently and you have to get used to it, and when you've spent a few days with them you understand them and know what they want… Content, satisfied, with a smile, and if not, well sometimes you just don't manage.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not sometimes" to introduce a possibility that occurs with some degree of irregularity or less frequently than another stated condition. It softens a statement, introducing a nuanced perspective on frequency.

Common error

Avoid using "if not sometimes" excessively in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. More precise language may be required to specify the degree of frequency or regularity you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not sometimes" functions as a qualifying conjunction. It introduces a secondary possibility or condition that occurs less frequently than the primary one. As Ludwig AI notes, it is grammatically correct. For instance, 'He is usually punctual, if not sometimes late'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"If not sometimes" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a less frequent alternative to a primary condition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it commonly appears in news and media, as well as informal content. When you aim for greater precision in formal writing, consider alternatives like "if not occasionally". This ensures your meaning is as clear and effective as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not occasionally

Indicates that it happens from time to time, though infrequently.

if not at times

Suggests that something happens sporadically or under certain circumstances.

if not from time to time

Similar to "if not occasionally", emphasizing that the event is not consistent.

if not always

Implies a higher frequency than "if not sometimes", suggesting it happens more often but not consistently.

if not on occasion

Similar to 'at times' but slightly more formal, implying specific instances.

if not frequently

Emphasizes the irregularity of the event, making it clear it's not a common occurrence.

if not regularly

Highlights that the event lacks a set pattern or schedule.

if not now and then

Highlights the infrequency and unpredictability of the event.

if not once in a while

Highlights the rarity of the event, happening only sporadically.

if not every so often

Implies that the event happens periodically but without a set schedule.

FAQs

How can I use "if not sometimes" in a sentence?

Use "if not sometimes" to indicate that something occurs occasionally, potentially less often than an alternative scenario. For instance, "He's usually on time, if not sometimes late."

What's a good alternative to "if not sometimes"?

You can use phrases like "if not occasionally", "if not at times", or "if not rarely" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "if not sometimes" or "if not often"?

The choice between "if not sometimes" and "if not often" depends on the intended frequency. "If not sometimes" implies a lower frequency compared to "if not often".

What is the nuance of "if not sometimes" versus "if not always"?

"If not sometimes" suggests that an event occurs occasionally, while "if not always" suggests a very high frequency, potentially with only rare exceptions. The first indicates possibility, while the second implies near-certainty.