sometimes late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone is occasionally tardy or not on time. Example: "He is sometimes late to meetings, but he always makes up for it with his contributions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But sometimes, late at night, even that seemed plausible.

The New Yorker

But sometimes, late at night, I'm still plagued with doubt.

The New York Times

"Sometimes, late at night, I lie awake thinking.

The New York Times - Health

Sometimes, late at night, I Google Latrell Sprewell.

The New Yorker

Or he would text you sometimes late at night.

The New Yorker

Sometimes late in the day, I head up to the 15th floor.

The New York Times

"The team that worked on this worked under pressure sometimes late into the night".

The New York Times

Sometimes late at night,my wife catches me at the refrigerator.

The New Yorker

He struts into the clubhouse, sometimes early, sometimes late, fiddling with his cellphone.

The New York Times - Sports

And sometimes, late at night, you remember the time you were forced to go in goal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Sometimes late at night when I'm wallowing in fear" is a characteristic opening line.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometimes late", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being occasionally delayed or tardy. For example, specify "sometimes late to meetings" or "sometimes late with payments."

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes late" without providing specific context. Saying "He is sometimes late" is vague. Instead, clarify what he is late for to provide clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes late" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or occasional nature of being late. It modifies a verb or verb phrase, adding information about when or how often an action occurs. Ludwig AI affirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sometimes late" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe occasional tardiness or delays. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in general writing. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear context about what is being described as "sometimes late" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "occasionally tardy" or "periodically delayed" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally tardy

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally" and "late" with "tardy", offering a slightly more formal tone.

intermittently delayed

Similar to "periodically delayed", highlighting the on-and-off nature of the lateness or delay.

periodically delayed

Emphasizes the intermittent nature of the delay rather than the lateness, focusing on the action of being delayed.

on occasion tardy

Replaces "sometimes" with "on occasion", keeping "tardy" for a more formal feel.

now and then behind schedule

More descriptive and less direct than "sometimes late", specifying the context of being behind schedule.

sporadically behind time

Uses "sporadically" to convey the irregular occurrence of being behind time.

at times unpunctual

Substitutes "sometimes" with "at times" and "late" with "unpunctual", increasing the formality of the phrase.

every so often delayed

Informal alternative using "every so often" to indicate the irregular frequency of delays.

belatedly at times

Inverts the structure and uses "belatedly" to emphasize the action of becoming late, rather than the state of being late.

infrequently punctual

Expresses the idea by focusing on the lack of punctuality rather than direct lateness.

FAQs

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

Use "sometimes late" to indicate that something or someone is occasionally not on time. For example, "The train is "sometimes late" due to track maintenance" or "He is "sometimes late" for appointments, but he always apologizes".

What are some alternatives to "sometimes late"?

Alternatives include "occasionally tardy", "periodically delayed", or "at times unpunctual". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "sometimes late" or "late sometimes"?

"Sometimes late" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Late sometimes" is grammatically correct but less frequently used and may sound awkward in some contexts.

What's the difference between "sometimes late" and "often late"?

"Sometimes late" implies that being late occurs occasionally, while "often late" suggests that it happens more frequently. The choice depends on the actual frequency of the lateness.