sometimes but not often

USAGE SUMMARY

"sometimes but not often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation or occurrence that does not happen regularly. For example: "I have dessert sometimes but not often."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Lahcen: I train to music sometimes – but not often.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sometimes, but not often, the bustle of the press box just stops.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes, but not often enough, Summers kept his overweening intellect and ego in check.

The New Yorker

Sometimes, but not often enough, Ehrlich combines her poetic intensity with scientific information on optical cells, hormones, circadian rhythms and the movement of icebergs.

The New York Times - Books

Sometimes, but not often, she acknowledges her own privileged ability to move through multiple worlds, borrowing from and participating in other cultures; it's refreshing to hear, even briefly, about the price of these cultural exchanges.

The New York Times - Arts

People with idle cars (and most cars are idle most of the time) can make some money by renting them out to others who need a car sometimes but not often enough to own one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

His footwork on routes was sloppy; his turns were sometimes fast, but not often sharp; he lacked the understanding of how to use his big frame to shield defenders from the ball; and he either dropped passes or did not attack the ball early enough in the throw to gain firm control.

The New York Times

Sometimes -- but not often enough -- the printer's proof-reader saves you -- and offends you -- with this cold sign in the margin: and you search the passage and find that the insulter is right -- it doesn't say what you thought it did: the gas-fixtures are there, but you didn't light the jets.

Huffington Post

Sometimes they succeed, but not often enough to elevate the film to "Pulp Fiction" territory.

The New York Times

I still like sweets and sometimes treat myself but not often.

BBC

Sometimes Ronnie sent money, but not often, so I took odd jobs, lived small, and shared my landlady's salami.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sometimes but not often" to add nuance when describing habits or events that occur with limited frequency. It's more descriptive than simply saying "rarely" or "occasionally".

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes but not often" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "occasionally", "rarely", or other related phrases to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes but not often" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the frequency of an action or state, clarifying that it occurs occasionally but not regularly. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometimes but not often" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to describe occurrences that happen sporadically rather than regularly. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. Analysis of various sources reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts, reflecting its neutral register. To enhance writing, it's advisable to use it judiciously, opting for synonyms like "occasionally" or "rarely" to avoid repetition. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of infrequency with more detail than a simple "rarely", as it acknowledges the occasional instances of the described event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally but infrequently

Emphasizes the rarity of the occurrence more strongly.

sporadically but not regularly

Highlights the lack of a consistent pattern.

once in a while but not habitually

Focuses on the absence of a routine.

now and then but not consistently

Suggests a less predictable and reliable occurrence.

at times but rarely

Highlights the limited frequency of the event.

infrequently although not never

Acknowledges the possibility of occurrence, but stresses its infrequency.

not on a regular basis

Focuses on the lack of routine.

on occasion, but not frequently

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the occurrence.

from time to time, but not constantly

Highlights the intermittent nature of the event.

certainly not a common occurrence

Stresses that the event is unusual.

FAQs

How can I use "sometimes but not often" in a sentence?

You can use "sometimes but not often" to describe something that happens occasionally, but not on a regular basis. For example, "I eat fast food "sometimes but not often"."

What are some alternatives to "sometimes but not often"?

Alternatives include "occasionally", "rarely", "infrequently", or "once in a while". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sometimes but not often" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sometimes but not often" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that something happens occasionally, but not frequently.

What's the difference between "sometimes but not often" and "rarely"?

"Sometimes but not often" provides a slightly more detailed description than "rarely". "Sometimes but not often" implies there are instances when something occurs, whereas "rarely" emphasizes its infrequency.