sometimes not

USAGE SUMMARY

"sometimes not" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is sometimes not the case. For example: "I like to go out for drinks, but sometimes not if I have too much work to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes not.

The New York Times

Sometimes interesting, sometimes not".

The New Yorker

Sometimes, sometimes not.

The New Yorker

"Sometimes, not even that".

The New York Times

And sometimes not.

The New York Times - Arts

Or sometimes not.

The New York Times - Arts

But sometimes not".

The New York Times

But also, sometimes not.

The New York Times

And sometimes, not even then.

The New York Times

And sometimes not even that.

The New York Times

Sometimes not so good.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sometimes not" to introduce exceptions or variations to a general statement. This helps to create nuanced and accurate descriptions, preventing overgeneralization.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "sometimes not" can make writing sound less assertive. In formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "occasionally", "rarely", or stating specific conditions under which something does not occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes not" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating that a situation or action does not always occur. As seen in Ludwig AI, it's a straightforward way to express exceptions or inconsistencies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sometimes not" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something doesn't always happen. As shown by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. To add variety to your writing, consider using alternatives such as "occasionally not" or "not always". While acceptable in most contexts, be mindful of overuse in formal writing, opting for more specific and assertive language when precision is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally not

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally", indicating a less frequent occurrence.

not always

Emphasizes that something is not a constant or universal occurrence.

not necessarily

Suggests that something is not a required or guaranteed outcome.

at times not

Inverts the structure, placing "at times" before "not" for a slightly different emphasis.

now and then not

Uses the idiom "now and then" to convey infrequent occurrence.

not infrequently

Employs a double negative to imply occasional occurrence, often in formal contexts.

not necessarily always

Combines "not necessarily" with "always" for added emphasis.

seldom if ever

Indicates rare or almost nonexistent occurrence, providing stronger emphasis.

rarely or never

Explicitly states that something happens infrequently or not at all.

on occasion, no

Adds a confirmatory or contrasting "no" to the idea of something sometimes not happening

FAQs

How can I use "sometimes not" in a sentence?

The phrase "sometimes not" is used to express that something is true or happens in some instances, but not in others. For example, "I enjoy going to the gym, but "sometimes not" when it's too crowded".

What are some alternatives to "sometimes not"?

Alternatives include "occasionally not", "not always", or "not necessarily", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "sometimes not"?

Yes, "sometimes not" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It is used to indicate that something is not always the case or does not always happen.

What's the difference between "sometimes not" and "never"?

"Sometimes not" indicates that something happens occasionally but not always, while "never" indicates that something does not happen at all. "Sometimes not" implies the possibility of occurrence, whereas "never" implies the absence of occurrence.