may be sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

'may be sometimes' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express possibility under certain conditions. Example: We may be sometimes able to offer free shipping, depending on the total cost of the order.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

As good as a clinician a particular doctor may be, sometimes the circumstances of the marketplace gang up on him".

The New York Times - Health

The question of whether this is the best way to order society may be sometimes in the programme makers' minds, but it is so neutered it rarely registers".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The colours and placing of the principal images in a design may be sometimes largely decided by representational and symbolic considerations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is not that women are morally superior or that we all think the same, but that our experience and our priorities are equally valid – though it may be sometimes be different to those of men.

The Guardian - Opinion

FASCINATING though they may be, sometimes you just can't bring yourself to watch yet another interview with Madonna (about her New Age), Jennifer Aniston (about her new husband) or even Hillary Clinton (about her New York).

The New York Times

As disturbing as it may be sometimes to see a public figure physically transform before our eyes, it's even more troubling to see how effortlessly we rush to say something about that transformation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"That may be justified sometimes, but sometimes it is the opposite.

The Guardian - Books

Criticism of Israel sometimes may be legitimate, sometimes not.

Huffington Post

Sometimes it may be desperation; sometimes it may be a calculation that the time is right to be on the side of the angels.

The New York Times - Arts

"If you're lucky there may be one; sometimes there's nothing," she says.

The Guardian - Music

Murray may be surly sometimes, may be brooding, but against Mr. Handsome, he had dropped all of one set.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be sometimes", consider if a more precise adverb of frequency (e.g., "occasionally", "periodically", or "rarely") would provide greater clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple hedges. Phrases like "it may be sometimes possible" can sound weak. Instead, choose the strongest accurate expression, such as "it is occasionally possible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be sometimes" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a possibility that occurs on occasion. It introduces uncertainty regarding the frequency of an event or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be sometimes" serves to express a possibility that occurs on occasion. Ludwig AI affirms its correct grammatical standing and usability. While prevalent across diverse contexts like science, news, and general writing, it's crucial to consider whether a more specific adverb of frequency might offer greater clarity. Avoiding overuse and opting for stronger expressions when appropriate will enhance writing precision. Remember that this phrase indicates that something is possible and, to some extent, is expected to happen but isn't always guaranteed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can occasionally be

Changes the auxiliary verb from 'may' to 'can' and replaces 'sometimes' with 'occasionally', altering the degree of possibility and frequency.

might infrequently be

Substitutes 'may' with 'might' and 'sometimes' with 'infrequently,' suggesting a lower probability and less frequent occurrence.

could periodically be

Replaces 'may' with 'could' and 'sometimes' with 'periodically,' indicating potential and recurrence at intervals.

is sometimes liable to be

Uses 'is liable to be' to express a tendency for something to happen and retains 'sometimes' for occasional occurrence, adding a sense of predisposition.

is at times prone to be

Employs 'is prone to be' to indicate a susceptibility and 'at times' to denote occasional instances, emphasizing a tendency under certain conditions.

can sporadically occur

Replaces 'may be' with 'can occur' and 'sometimes' with 'sporadically', highlighting irregular or intermittent appearances.

is occasionally apt to be

Uses 'is apt to be' to suggest a natural tendency or suitability and 'occasionally' for infrequent instances, blending inclination with infrequency.

is now and then inclined to be

Replaces 'sometimes' with the idiom 'now and then' to convey occasional occurence. Uses 'inclined' to suggest a predisposition.

may on occasion be

Replaces 'sometimes' with 'on occasion,' offering a more formal alternative to express occasional occurrence.

may be intermittently

Replaces 'sometimes' with 'intermittently,' indicating that occurrences are not continuous or steady.

FAQs

How can I use "may be sometimes" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be sometimes" indicates that something is possible but not always true. For example, "The solution "may be sometimes" difficult to find, but it exists."

What alternatives can I use instead of "may be sometimes"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "occasionally", "sometimes", "periodically", or "infrequently" instead of "may be sometimes".

Is it redundant to use "may be sometimes"?

While grammatically correct, "may be sometimes" can occasionally be perceived as redundant. Using a single word adverb of frequency, such as "occasionally" or "sometimes", often provides a more concise and direct expression.

What's the difference between "may be sometimes" and "is sometimes"?

"May be sometimes" implies a possibility that something happens occasionally, whereas "is sometimes" states that something definitely happens occasionally. The former expresses a potential, while the latter expresses an actuality.