is sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is sometimes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs occasionally or at certain times, rather than all the time. Example: "The weather in this region is sometimes unpredictable, changing from sunny to rainy within minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is sometimes controversial.

Independent

Pain is sometimes deserved.

The New York Times

Justice is sometimes a journey.

The New York Times

The symbolism is sometimes tangible.

The New York Times - Travel

The fit is sometimes awkward.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her feminism is sometimes blunt.

The New Yorker

Open water is sometimes found.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is sometimes like that.

The New York Times

"But it is sometimes nonsense".

The New Yorker

There is sometimes a surprise".

The New York Times - Science

It is sometimes complex".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is sometimes" to indicate that a condition or event happens periodically but not consistently. This adds nuance to your writing, acknowledging exceptions or variations.

Common error

Avoid using "is sometimes" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound hesitant or uncertain. Vary your language by using other adverbs of frequency or rephrasing sentences to convey similar meanings without repeating the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is sometimes" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency of an action or state. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. Examples from Ludwig show how it qualifies verbs and adjectives, adding nuance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

24%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is sometimes" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express occasional occurrences. Ludwig AI affirms that it is very common across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various writing styles. While "is sometimes" is a versatile phrase, varying your language with alternatives like "occasionally is" or "happens from time to time" can prevent overuse and enhance clarity. Be mindful of the intended meaning and context to choose the most appropriate expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurs occasionally

This alternative emphasizes the infrequency of the occurrence.

happens from time to time

This phrase suggests that the event occurs at irregular intervals.

occasionally is

This inverts the word order while retaining the basic meaning.

is not always

This alternative highlights the non-constant nature of the subject.

is on occasion

This phrase implies that something happens only on specific instances.

is at times

This suggests that the condition exists during certain periods.

is now and then

This alternative denotes a sporadic occurrence of the event.

is every so often

This suggests an intermittent and not very frequent happening.

is periodically

This implies a regular but not necessarily frequent recurrence.

can be intermittent

This alternative focuses on the stop-and-start nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is sometimes" is used to indicate that something occurs occasionally or under certain circumstances but not always. For example, "The weather here "is sometimes" unpredictable."

What are some alternatives to "is sometimes"?

You can use alternatives such as "occasionally is", "happens from time to time", or "is not always" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "is sometimes"?

Yes, the phrase "is sometimes" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English to express that something happens intermittently.

What's the difference between "is sometimes" and "is always"?

"Is sometimes" indicates that something occurs periodically but not constantly, while "is always" means that something happens without exception.