sometime during

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometime during" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an unspecified time within a particular period. Example: "We should plan to meet sometime during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That day occurred sometime during the 1960s.

The New York Times

Sometime during the night, he stopped".

The New York Times

OBERHAUSER: Sometime during September 1941.

Yale University

The stranger left sometime during the night.

The New Yorker

Sometime during Friday morning Spielfogel was brought to the hotel.

Cornell University

It was introduced sometime during the 90's Big Recession.

The Guardian

Exhausted, they fell asleep sometime during the night.

The New York Times

Sometime during this period the Hebrews settled in this area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The cold rain started sometime during the night.

The New York Times

"This happened sometime during the morning of Saturday, July 31".

The New York Times

And sometime during the swirl, the neighborhood changed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometime during", ensure that the period you are referring to is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sometime during" without specifying the time period. Saying "I saw him sometime" is vague. Instead, specify the period: "I saw him sometime during the summer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometime during" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event takes place. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in indicating an event occurred within a broader timeframe without pinpointing the exact moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometime during" is a versatile and common phrase used to indicate an unspecified time within a given period. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase of time, frequently appearing in neutral contexts like News & Media and Academia. Remember to clearly define the period to avoid ambiguity and consider alternative phrases like "at some point during" for increased formality. Understanding these nuances will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at some point during

Replaces "sometime" with "at some point", emphasizing the uncertainty of the exact timing.

at an unspecified moment in

Replaces "sometime" with "at an unspecified moment", emphasizing the lack of precision.

at a certain time during

Substitutes "sometime" with "at a certain time", highlighting a particular but unspecified moment.

during a certain period

Similar to "at a certain time during", but with emphasis on the duration of a period.

within a specific timeframe

Emphasizes that "sometime" happen within the boundary of the timeframe.

within a period of

Focuses on the encompassing timeframe rather than a specific point within it.

in a certain time frame

Highlights the temporal boundary within an event happens.

in the course of

Emphasizes the progression or duration of an event during which something occurs.

at some stage of

Implies an event that develops into stages, highlighting that "sometime" indicates one of those stages.

in the midst of

Implies that "sometime" happen while an event is ongoing.

FAQs

How can I use "sometime during" in a sentence?

Use "sometime during" to indicate that an event occurred at an unspecified time within a particular period. For example, "The meeting is scheduled "sometime during" the afternoon".

What's a more formal way to say "sometime during"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "at some point during" or "at a certain time during". For example, "The issue was resolved at some point during the negotiations".

Which is correct, "sometime during" or "sometimes during"?

"Sometime during" refers to an unspecified point in time, while "sometimes during" indicates that something happens occasionally within a period. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "sometime during" to emphasize uncertainty?

To emphasize the uncertainty of the timing, you could use phrases such as "at an unspecified moment in" or "at some stage of" depending on the specific context.