may sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may sometimes' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to express the possibility that something could happen under certain circumstances or conditions. Example: "The weather in this region may sometimes reach temperatures above 32°C in the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These may sometimes delay action.

The New York Times

America may sometimes be inept or hypocritical.

The Economist

And it may sometimes sound heavy-handed.

The Guardian

Personally generous he may sometimes be.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, death may sometimes strike quickly.

The New Yorker

The British theatre may sometimes look hierarchical.

The Guardian

Prenatal diagnosis may sometimes be possible in future pregnancies.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Levy may sometimes wish that it weren't.

The New York Times - Arts

And the way forward may sometimes appear chaotic.

The New York Times

He may sometimes rise at 4am to pursue his work.

The Guardian - Arts

But readers may sometimes wish for a more authoritative guide.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may sometimes" to express a possibility that is not always the case, implying that the event occurs under specific or infrequent conditions. This can add nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "may sometimes", as it can make your writing sound hesitant or uncertain. Consider using stronger verbs or more specific adverbs to convey the likelihood or frequency of an event more clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may sometimes" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the possibility and frequency of an action or state. Ludwig AI highlights its use across various contexts to express conditions that are not always true. This expression adds nuance and precision to statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may sometimes" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates a qualified possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While the phrase adds nuance, it's crucial to avoid overuse for clear and concise writing. Alternatives such as "can occasionally" or "might occasionally" can be considered to vary expression. Overall, "may sometimes" serves to express something that is possible but not always the case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can occasionally

Replaces "may" with "can" to denote possibility, and "sometimes" with "occasionally" for less frequent occurrence.

might occasionally

Substitutes "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker possibility, while "occasionally" replaces "sometimes".

could sometimes

Employs "could" instead of "may" to suggest a conditional possibility, keeping "sometimes" to indicate frequency.

is known to occasionally

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes that the occasional occurrence is a recognized fact.

has been known to sometimes

This alternative suggests the possibility is based on prior knowledge or experience.

often can

Inverts the order and uses "often" to highlight the frequency, while "can" expresses the possibility.

occasionally will

Emphasizes the occasional nature of an event with a sense of future occurrence using "will".

is liable to sometimes

Indicates a tendency or likelihood of something happening, retaining "sometimes" for frequency.

tends to sometimes

Highlights the inclination for something to occur, combined with "sometimes" to denote frequency.

under certain circumstances

This option shifts the focus to specific conditions instead of a frequency, suggesting conditional occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "may sometimes" to indicate that something is possible, but not always true. For instance, "The weather here "may sometimes" be unpredictable."

What are some alternatives to "may sometimes"?

Alternatives include phrases like "can occasionally", "might occasionally", or "could sometimes", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "may sometimes" redundant?

While "may" already implies possibility, "sometimes" adds a degree of frequency. Using both isn't necessarily redundant, but it emphasizes that the event doesn't happen often. Consider alternatives if you want a more concise expression.

What's the difference between "may sometimes" and "usually"?

"May sometimes" indicates a possibility that is infrequent or conditional, while "usually" suggests that something happens more often than not. "Usually" implies a higher degree of probability and frequency.