sometimes following

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes following" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs occasionally after another event or action. Example: "The weather can be unpredictable, sometimes following a sunny day with sudden rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

They may choose to preferentially follow one source of information, they may take a mixed strategy, sometimes following one source and sometimes the other, or they may choose to ignore both information sources.

Ethology

Sometimes following a vintage rule book poses a problem.

The New York Times

Sometimes, following instructions, they eat as much as they would in a normal meal.

The New York Times - Science

Sometimes, following a prescribed loop, I feel a little like a greyhound following a mechanical rabbit.

The New York Times - Travel

The hunters keep hunting, albeit their hounds sometimes following trails of either aniseed or a concoction replicating fox scent.

The Guardian - Opinion

We explore deeper into the sand bores, sometimes following local fishermen as a clue to finding promising reefs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Sometimes the following criterion is easier to check than the one given in Corollary 3.6, but it follows easily from Corollary 3.6 as we always have for all.

Advances in Difference Equations

Surrounding every tourist trap, aggressive street merchants wave beaded bracelets and postcards, shouting American prices, sometimes even following travelers down the streets.

The New York Times - Travel

From eastern Ukraine, pictures emerged of wreckage and dead bodies, the latter sometimes pixelated, following the shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane.

Independent

He has been the morning anchor at NY1 for nearly 15 years and has a devoted, if sometimes ironic, following that cuts across all sorts of demographics and levels of hipness.

The New York Times

It prompts ordinary people who use it to create public personas and it can put celebrities, including religious leaders, in direct contact with a large and sometimes unruly following, including some who insist on using pseudonyms.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometimes following", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being followed and under what conditions the following occurs.

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes following" when the action is more frequent than occasional. Overusing it can dilute the impact and suggest a level of randomness that doesn't exist. Instead, choose more accurate adverbs like "often", "usually", or "frequently" if applicable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes following" functions as a gerund phrase, typically acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates that an action is performed occasionally or intermittently in relation to another event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometimes following" is a versatile gerund phrase used to describe actions that occur intermittently or under specific conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While "sometimes following" is common, consider alternatives like "occasionally adhering to" or "intermittently complying with" for subtle shifts in meaning. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being followed and the conditions under which it occurs. Avoid overgeneralization by using it only when the action is genuinely occasional, which is a common mistake to prevent. Overall, mastering the use of "sometimes following" involves precision and awareness of contextual nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally adhering to

Replaces "following" with "adhering to", emphasizing compliance or agreement but with the same occasional nature.

at times observing

Substitutes "following" with "observing", focusing on watching or noticing intermittently.

intermittently complying with

Replaces "sometimes" and "following" to underline sporadic obedience or conformity.

periodically heeding

Uses "periodically" for "sometimes" and "heeding" for "following", stressing infrequent attention or consideration.

now and then obeying

Expresses the occasional nature with "now and then", replacing "following" with "obeying" to focus on compliance.

sporadically listening to

Highlights the irregular nature using "sporadically", substituting "following" with "listening to" to emphasize attention.

on occasion, tracking

Emphasizes the infrequency with "on occasion", using "tracking" in place of "following" to focus on monitoring.

irregularly pursuing

Highlights the uneven nature of the action, replacing "following" with "pursuing" to suggest active chasing.

selectively adopting

Indicates a deliberate choice to follow only certain aspects, focusing on the act of choosing.

infrequently respecting

Stresses the rare instance of showing regard or deference.

FAQs

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

You can use "sometimes following" to describe actions or events that occur intermittently after a specific trigger. For example, "The hounds are hunting, albeit they are "sometimes following" trails of aniseed or a concoction replicating fox scent."

What are some alternatives to "sometimes following"?

Alternatives include phrases like "occasionally adhering to", "at times observing", or "intermittently complying with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See other similar phrases "occasionally adhering to".

Is it correct to say "sometimes follow" instead of "sometimes following"?

While "sometimes follow" can be grammatically correct, it alters the meaning. "Sometimes following" implies a continuous action that occurs intermittently, whereas "sometimes follow" suggests a repeated action that may or may not be continuous. It depends on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "always following" and "sometimes following"?

"Always following" indicates a consistent and unfailing adherence or tracking, while "sometimes following" suggests the action is only occasional and not a constant practice. The key difference is the frequency and consistency of the action.