sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sometimes' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to an unspecified number of times or an uncertain frequency. For example, "I sometimes go to the movies with my friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I met a man who sometimes lets me sleep at his house but I have to wait outside for him to come home at 10 or 11pm and I get very cold.

The Guardian

"I'm in a successful TV show in a kind of leading man way and it can sometimes feel like your art is being put to one side for your sex appeal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Sometimes I don't even notice I'm doing it.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Sometimes it works.

The New York Times

He does smile sometimes.

The Guardian - Sport

But he added: "Sometimes parts of the Conservative party move but they move more slowly, or a few paces behind the centre of gravity of social attitudes which have changed and will probably continue to change in ways that it is hard to predict.

The Guardian

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "Sometimes I get the impression that people are waiting for an accident so that they can really focus [on] avoiding a bigger disaster.

The Guardian - Business

And they were passed from man to man - sometimes on a daily basis.

BBC

I sometimes wear skirts and dresses – but they're funky rather than feminine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even perfectly ordinary trousers and tops can sometimes look odd because short people aren't just inflicted with short legs; we're short all over.

The Guardian - Travel

When school groups come, it is sometimes half full.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place "sometimes" strategically within a sentence to modify the verb or the entire clause for precise meaning. For example, "Sometimes, I prefer coffee over tea" places emphasis on the occasional preference, while "I sometimes prefer coffee over tea" indicates the frequency of this preference.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "sometimes", which can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "occasionally", "at times", or rephrasing the sentence to incorporate the adverbial phrase differently.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "sometimes" functions as a sentence adverb, modifying the entire clause by indicating that the action or state described does not occur regularly or consistently. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to express this intermittence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Lifestyle

10%

Sport

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometimes" is a versatile adverb indicating occasional occurrence, used correctly across a wide range of contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical status as "correct" and emphasizes its primary function in softening definitive statements and indicating irregular frequency. While its usage is generally straightforward, remember to vary sentence structure to avoid repetition and choose semantically similar words such as "occasionally" or "at times" to enhance your writing style. Its prevalence in News & Media, along with other categories demonstrates its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally

Indicates less frequency than "sometimes", suggesting a less regular occurrence.

at times

Offers a more literary or formal alternative to "sometimes", implying specific instances.

from time to time

Emphasizes the sporadic nature of the occurrence, highlighting irregularity.

now and then

Suggests a more casual and infrequent occurrence than "sometimes".

on occasion

Implies a more formal or specific instance, rather than a general habit.

every so often

Highlights the periodic nature of the event, suggesting recurrence at irregular intervals.

once in a while

Indicates a rare or infrequent occurrence, emphasizing its unusual nature.

periodically

Implies occurrence at somewhat regular intervals, although not necessarily frequent.

intermittently

Focuses on the stopping and starting nature of the action, emphasizing its lack of continuity.

certain times

Highlights specific moments or periods when an event occurs, rather than its overall frequency.

FAQs

How can I use "sometimes" in a sentence?

"Sometimes" is typically used as an adverb to indicate that something happens occasionally, but not always. For example, "I "sometimes" eat pizza for dinner" means that you don't eat pizza every day, but you do eat it on occasion.

What are some alternatives to "sometimes"?

You can use alternatives like "occasionally", "at times", or "from time to time" to express similar meanings depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "sometimes"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "sometimes". However, doing so too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to vary your sentence structure by placing "sometimes" in other parts of the sentence, or use alternatives.

What is the difference between "sometimes" and "sometime"?

"Sometimes" indicates occasional occurrence, while "sometime" refers to an unspecified point in time in the future. For example, "I will visit you "sometime" next year" means the visit will happen at an unspecified time next year, whereas, "I "sometimes" visit you" means that the frequency of visit is occasional.