it sometimes is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sometimes is" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is generally true, but can also change depending on the circumstances. For example: "It's important to keep up with current events, but it sometimes is difficult to find the time to do so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On its Web site, it sometimes is referred to as "U.T.S.: The Interfaith Seminary".

The New York Times

The pearly haddock is steamed (not fried, you'll note) within a delicate batter casing, its flavour not overwhelmed, as it sometimes is in Yorkshire, by beefy savour.

The Guardian - Travel

And the West could not be accused, as it sometimes is, of attempting to recreate the world in its own image.

The New York Times

Well actually, it sometimes is.

The Guardian

As hard as it sometimes is.

Columbia University

So it sometimes is with art too.

The Guardian

It sometimes is the only symptom of hypothyroidism in an older person.

Harvard University

We admit that it sometimes is confusing to refer to a single subspecies as a "group".

Cornell University

She suggested that "Big Brother" was simply mirroring real life, as ugly as it sometimes is.

The New York Times

Even when a drug's mechanism looks obvious, it sometimes is not.

The Economist

When that question is asked about wine, it sometimes is answered too narrowly.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sometimes is" to acknowledge exceptions or variability in a general statement. This adds nuance and avoids overgeneralization.

Common error

Avoid using "it sometimes is" without specifying the conditions or situations where it applies. Provide context to clarify when and why the statement is true or not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sometimes is" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or likelihood of a particular state or condition. It modifies a verb or adjective, softening the assertion and acknowledging exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms this with many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it sometimes is" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to qualify statements, indicating that something is generally true but not always the case. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's important to provide context to clarify the specific conditions under which the statement applies. Alternatives like "it is occasionally" or "it is at times" can be used to add further nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is occasionally

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally", emphasizing the infrequency of the occurrence.

it is on occasion

Uses "on occasion" instead of "sometimes", conveying a slightly more formal and less frequent occurrence.

it is at times

Uses "at times" instead of "sometimes", providing a slightly more formal tone.

it is intermittently

Substitutes "sometimes" with "intermittently", emphasizing the sporadic nature of the occurrence.

it is from time to time

Replaces "sometimes" with the more descriptive "from time to time", emphasizing that the event happens irregularly.

it is now and then

Replaces "sometimes" with the idiomatic "now and then", suggesting a more casual and infrequent occurrence.

it is periodically

Replaces "sometimes" with "periodically", indicating that the occurrence happens at regular intervals, though not always.

it is not always

Expresses a similar idea from a negative perspective, highlighting that something does not happen consistently.

it can be the case

Indicates possibility rather than frequency but can be used in similar contexts.

it is apt to

Implies a tendency or likelihood for something to occur, which aligns with the conditional nature of "sometimes".

FAQs

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

Use "it sometimes is" to indicate that a statement is generally true but may not always be the case. For example, "The weather is usually sunny, but "it sometimes is" cloudy."

What phrases are similar to "it sometimes is"?

Alternatives include "it is occasionally", "it is at times", or "it is now and then". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it sometimes is" formal or informal?

"It sometimes is" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "it is on occasion" exist.

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

"It sometimes is" suggests that something happens less frequently than "it usually is". "It usually is" indicates a higher probability or frequency of occurrence.