sometimes by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs occasionally through a specific means or method. Example: "The results can be influenced sometimes by external factors that are beyond our control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Except sometimes by other women.

The New Yorker

Sometimes by him.

The Guardian

Sometimes by design.

The Guardian - Opinion

And sometimes by choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes by the box.

The Guardian - Music

Sometimes by senior colleagues!

The Guardian - Money

Throughout history different kinds of money have been created, sometimes by communities, sometimes by companies and sometimes by local governments.

The Guardian

She missed appointments, sometimes by days".

The New York Times - Arts

Reality is made sometimes by political constraints".

The New York Times

Sally Nicholls Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer.

The Guardian

They express fear sometimes by showing panic and sometimes by immobility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometimes by", consider providing additional context or examples to clarify the circumstances under which the described action or influence occurs. This enhances clarity and credibility for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes by" when a stronger causal relationship exists. If the factor is consistently the primary cause, use phrases like "usually by" or "primarily through" to reflect the actual frequency and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes by" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating that something happens occasionally or under certain circumstances. It modifies a verb or clause to specify the conditions under which an action or state occurs, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometimes by" is a versatile phrase used to indicate occasional causation or influence. It functions as an adverbial modifier, adding nuance to statements across various registers. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to provide sufficient context when using the phrase. Avoiding overstatement is crucial; stronger causal phrases should be employed when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally through

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally", emphasizing the infrequency of the action.

at times through

Similar to "occasionally through", but with a slightly more formal tone.

now and then through

Replaces "sometimes" with a more colloquial expression indicating occasional occurrence.

indirectly via

Focuses on the indirect nature of the cause or influence.

partially due to

Highlights that the effect is only partly caused by the specified factor.

in certain instances by

Emphasizes that the effect only occurs under specific conditions.

sporadically influenced by

Highlights the irregular and infrequent nature of the influence.

on occasion because of

Replaces "sometimes" with "on occasion" and changes the preposition to "because of".

at certain times resulting from

More verbose alternative emphasizing the temporal aspect and causal relationship.

intermittently triggered by

Highlights the sporadic and causative nature of the relationship.

FAQs

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

Use "sometimes by" to indicate that something occurs occasionally through a specific means or method. For example, "The results can be influenced "sometimes by" external factors that are beyond our control".

What are some alternatives to "sometimes by"?

You can use alternatives like "occasionally through", "at times through", or "now and then through" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "sometimes by" or "often by"?

The choice between ""sometimes by"" and "often by" depends on the frequency you want to convey. "Sometimes" suggests a less frequent occurrence than "often."

What's the difference between "sometimes by" and "partly by"?

"Sometimes by" indicates that something occurs occasionally through a specific means, while "partly by" suggests that the factor contributes in part, but not entirely, to the outcome.