sometimes happens

USAGE SUMMARY

'sometimes happens' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an event or occurrence that does not take place all of the time, but still has a chance of happening. For example: "Heavy rain in the summertime sometimes happens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This sometimes happens.

The New Yorker

It sometimes happens".

The New York Times - Sports

"It sometimes happens that way".

The New York Times

But the worst sometimes happens.

The New Yorker

But that is how it sometimes happens.

The Guardian - Sport

The same thing sometimes happens with food.

The Guardian

"In life, this sometimes happens," she said.

The New Yorker

In international football, that sometimes happens".

The Guardian - Sport

This sometimes happens with the Serpentine's structures.

The Guardian - Arts

Yet the improbable sometimes happens in the Philippines.

The Economist

That sometimes happens when the economy is weak.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sometimes happens" to acknowledge that an event is not guaranteed but is within the realm of possibility. This can soften the impact of negative news or provide a realistic outlook on potential outcomes.

Common error

While "sometimes happens" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "occasionally occurs" or "it may happen" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes happens" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb. It indicates the frequency with which an event or action occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometimes happens" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate the occasional occurrence of an event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, mainly news and media. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "occasionally occurs" or "it may happen" for stylistic variation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for describing events that are not guaranteed but remain within the realm of possibility. Therefore, mastering the use of "sometimes happens" can add nuance and realism to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally occurs

Emphasizes the sporadic nature of the event; more formal.

it can occur

Highlights the possibility of something taking place.

it is possible

Focuses on the possibility rather than the frequency.

it may happen

Indicates a chance or likelihood of an event.

it transpires on occasion

A more formal and less common way of expressing the idea.

it crops up now and then

Suggests that something appears or occurs infrequently.

it comes about periodically

Emphasizes the recurring but not constant nature of the event.

it arises from time to time

Indicates that something happens intermittently.

it is not uncommon

Suggests that something is somewhat frequent but not typical.

it sporadically arises

Highlights the irregular and unpredictable nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "sometimes happens" to describe events that occur occasionally, such as, "Even with careful planning, mistakes "sometimes happens"".

What are some alternatives to "sometimes happens"?

Alternatives include phrases like "occasionally occurs", "it may happen", or "it is possible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sometimes happen" grammatically correct?

No, "sometimes happen" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""sometimes happens"", as "happens" is the third-person singular form agreeing with an implied singular subject like "it" or "that".

What's the difference between "rarely happens" and "sometimes happens"?

"Sometimes happens" indicates that an event occurs occasionally, while "rarely happens" suggests that an event occurs infrequently or almost never. They are opposites on a frequency spectrum.