it is sometimes the case

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is sometimes the case" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is true or occurs only on certain occasions. For example, "It is sometimes the case that animals can sense when an earthquake is coming before humans can."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It is sometimes the case that employees of shuttered publications have a distorted sense of their magazines' importance.

The New York Times

It is sometimes the case that an individual famous for non-literary reasons decides they want to write fiction.

The Guardian - Books

It is sometimes the case that one of the licence conditions is that the prisoner being released doesn't get involved with the media.

The Guardian

It is sometimes the case that a pub will disappear and passersby will remark: Well at least it wasn't one of the good pubs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With musicians and writers, particularly, it is sometimes the case that through their work we feel that we know them as people.

The Guardian

It is sometimes the case that an infectious organism or a poisonous substance can have such a rapid deleterious effect that the victim does not have time to develop an immune response spontaneously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Yet it's sometimes the case that the thing we want to be good at isn't the thing we're meant to be.

Independent

"It's sometimes the case that a good person takes a very long time to accept that he has violated the law because of the way he has lived his whole life," Mr. Brafman said.

The New York Times

It's sometimes the case — it happened in Iraq — that I'll come out of an interview thinking, "He really didn't seem that horrible," only to be reminded by some piece of evidence, a victim's testimony, or even my interpreter's seething fury, that I just sat through an hour or two of lies intended to cover up inhuman crimes.

The New Yorker

It's sometimes the case that the easiest way to explain how something works is to show what happens when it isn't there.

TechCrunch

Of course, it's sometimes the case that the opposite is true.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is sometimes the case" to introduce a situation that is true, but not always. It adds a level of generality and avoids making absolute statements.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overusing "it is sometimes the case" can make your writing sound verbose. Consider using simpler alternatives like "sometimes" or "occasionally" for a more concise style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is sometimes the case" functions as an introductory phrase that sets the stage for a statement that is not universally true, but rather occurs under certain circumstances. This phrase helps to introduce nuance and avoid generalizations. As seen from Ludwig, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is sometimes the case" is a versatile phrase used to introduce statements that hold true in certain instances but not universally. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content, making it appropriate for various writing styles. While correct, remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding verbose. Consider using simpler alternatives if conciseness is a priority. By recognizing its communicative function and register, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it occasionally happens

This alternative replaces "sometimes the case" with "occasionally happens", offering a more direct and slightly less formal expression.

it happens on occasion

This phrase rephrases the original to emphasize the occurrence is not regular, using "on occasion" instead of "sometimes".

it is not uncommon

This uses a double negative to convey that something is somewhat frequent, though not the norm.

it is not unusual

Similar to "it is not uncommon", this suggests that something is not unexpected, though not necessarily frequent.

it is known to happen

This alternative highlights the fact that an event is recognized as something that can occur, even if infrequently.

it is liable to occur

Suggests a higher likelihood of happening compared to "sometimes", implying a predisposition for the event to take place.

it is apt to happen

This suggests an inclination or tendency for something to occur, similar to "liable to occur".

it can occur

This is a simpler and more direct way of saying something is possible.

it may transpire

This is a more formal way of saying something might happen or come to light.

it is conceivable

This highlights the possibility of something occurring, even if it is not necessarily probable.

FAQs

How can I use "it is sometimes the case" in a sentence?

Use "it is sometimes the case" to introduce a situation that is true, but not always true. For example, "It is sometimes the case that animals can sense when an earthquake is coming before humans can.

What can I say instead of "it is sometimes the case"?

You can use alternatives like "occasionally happens", "it happens on occasion", or "it is not uncommon" depending on the context.

Is "it is sometimes the case" formal or informal?

"It is sometimes the case" leans towards the formal side due to its structure. In more casual conversation, simpler phrases like "sometimes" or "occasionally" might be preferable.

What is the difference between "it is sometimes the case" and "it is often the case"?

"It is sometimes the case" indicates that something happens occasionally, while "it is often the case" suggests that something happens frequently but not always.