it has sometimes been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has sometimes been" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has happened occasionally or at various times in the past. Example: "Throughout history, it has sometimes been the case that great leaders emerge in times of crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The company also offers a progressive benefit system for employees, though it has sometimes been pressured into improving its workplace.

The New Yorker

Being open about it has sometimes been politically useful though.

Independent

In consequence it has sometimes been wrongly called faience.

Britannica

It has sometimes been a slow, difficult current.

The Guardian - Books

Now they are back on Nadal's territory, even if it has sometimes been hostile territory.

The New York Times - Sports

Nor will it be the athletically challenging experience it has sometimes been in the past.

The New York Times - Arts

As a consequence, it has sometimes been claimed by officials that Trident is safe from hacking.

The Guardian

It has sometimes been contaminated with dioxin, one of the most toxic substances known.

The Guardian

It has sometimes been suggested the anti-communists on Capitol Hill feared his rapier wit.

The Guardian

It has sometimes been argued, without any firm evidence, that he died a closet Papist.

The Guardian

It has sometimes been alleged, inaccurately, that Weston was part of that group.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has sometimes been", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject and the specific instances to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what "it" refers to and provide context for the "sometimes".

Common error

Avoid using "it has sometimes been" without specific examples or supporting details. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and make your statement less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has sometimes been" functions as an introductory clause or phrase, often setting the stage for a statement that acknowledges occasional or past instances of a particular situation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has sometimes been" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that serves to introduce a statement while acknowledging that it only applies in certain instances or at specific times in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in diverse sources like news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and support your statement with specific examples. While versatile, avoid overgeneralization to maintain credibility. Alternatives like ""it has occasionally happened"" or ""on occasion, it was"" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has occasionally happened

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally" and restructures the sentence to use "happened" instead of "been".

it has, in certain instances, been

Adds emphasis with "in certain instances" but keeps the basic structure intact.

it has happened from time to time

Uses the idiomatic expression "from time to time" to convey occasional occurrence.

there have been times when it was

Restructures the phrase to emphasize specific instances, replacing "sometimes" with "there have been times when".

there were instances where it was

Focuses on specific instances, similar to "there have been times when", but uses past tense.

on occasion, it was

Uses a more concise phrase, "on occasion", to convey the same meaning of occasional occurrence.

it was at times

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the core meaning of occasional existence or occurrence.

it has been known to happen

Emphasizes the possibility or likelihood of something occurring, changing the structure from a statement of fact to a statement of potential.

occasionally, it occurred

Focuses on the action of occurring rather than the state of "being", using "occurred" instead of "been".

it would occasionally be

Uses "would" to indicate a habitual or repeated action in the past, replacing "has sometimes been".

FAQs

How can I use "it has sometimes been" in a sentence?

Use "it has sometimes been" to indicate that something has occurred occasionally or at certain times. For example, "It has sometimes been difficult to find reliable information on the internet."

What are some alternatives to "it has sometimes been"?

Alternatives include "it has occasionally happened", "on occasion, it was", or "it has been known to happen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it has sometimes been" formal or informal?

"It has sometimes been" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its acceptability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "it has sometimes been" and "it is sometimes"?

"It has sometimes been" refers to something that occurred occasionally in the past, while "it is sometimes" refers to something that occurs occasionally in the present or generally. The former has a past temporal reference, whereas the latter refers to the present or a general truth.