sometimes it helps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes it helps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that a particular action or approach may be beneficial on certain occasions. Example: "When dealing with stress, sometimes it helps to take a break and go for a walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes it helps them.

The Guardian - Arts

And sometimes, it helps revive old techniques.

The New York Times

Sometimes it helps refine your selection criteria.

The New York Times - Travel

Sometimes it helps to sit and breathe.

The New Yorker

Sometimes it helps by making a change.

The New York Times - Sports

Share your thoughts; sometimes it helps to vent.

The New York Times

Sometimes it helps them and sometimes it hurts them.

The New York Times

Sometimes, it helps the authors confirm existing forecasts.

The Economist

He concludes that sometimes it "helps to sit and breathe".

The New Yorker

Lib Dem internal democracy is much mocked, but sometimes it helps party discipline.

Independent

Sometimes it helps for us to have access to your data files.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometimes it helps", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, preventing ambiguity for the reader. For example, "When dealing with anxiety, "sometimes it helps" to practice deep breathing exercises."

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes it helps" as a blanket statement without providing specific examples or context, which can weaken your argument and leave the reader questioning the statement's validity. Instead of saying, "In this situation, "sometimes it helps", specify what action or strategy could be beneficial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes it helps" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or strategy is occasionally beneficial or useful. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

35%

News & Media

33%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometimes it helps" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to suggest that an action or approach can be occasionally beneficial. Ludwig AI confirms it's a common expression found across a range of sources, particularly in News & Media and Wiki content. While suitable for general use, remember that formal contexts may benefit from more precise language. By understanding its function and considering the context, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is sometimes beneficial

Rearranges the sentence structure slightly while keeping the meaning intact, emphasizing the benefit.

occasionally it aids

Replaces 'sometimes' with 'occasionally' and 'helps' with 'aids', offering a slightly more formal tone.

on occasion, it is helpful

Uses a more descriptive adjective, helpful, in place of the verb helps. Also leads with "on occasion".

periodically it assists

Substitutes 'sometimes' with 'periodically' and 'helps' with 'assists', indicating a recurring but not constant benefit.

it can be advantageous

Rephrases the entire phrase to focus on the potential benefit, using a more formal and general tone.

at times, it is of assistance

Offers a more formal and distanced expression, focusing on the provision of assistance.

it might prove useful

Expresses the idea with a degree of uncertainty, suggesting the possibility of usefulness.

now and then it contributes

Employs 'now and then' to indicate intermittence and 'contributes' to suggest a positive impact.

certainly it is supportive

Replaces "helps" with "supportive" adding a more emphatic tone with "certainly"

conceivably it facilitates

Replaces the verb "helps" with the verb "facilitates" adding "conceivably" to emphasize the uncertain nature of said support.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "sometimes it helps" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "occasionally it aids", "periodically it assists", or "it can be advantageous".

Is "sometimes it helps" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "sometimes it helps" may sound too informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives that specify the degree and type of assistance provided.

What's a simple way to use "sometimes it helps" in a sentence?

You can use "sometimes it helps" to suggest a potentially beneficial action, like "When you're feeling overwhelmed, "sometimes it helps" to take a short break."

Are there situations where "sometimes it helps" might not be the best choice?

If you need to convey a high degree of certainty or if the context demands a more sophisticated vocabulary, "sometimes it helps" may not be the ideal choice. In those cases, a phrase such as "it is sometimes beneficial" may be more effective.