sometimes unavailable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes unavailable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe something or someone that is not always accessible or not always available. For example, "The few tickets available for the show were sometimes unavailable due to high demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But sometimes Unavailable shows up because someone is calling from, say, the hospital.

The New Yorker

In the current setup, services like the help desk and chassis maintenance area are sometimes unavailable, they say.

The New York Times

On the downside, the booking function was sometimes unavailable during recent visits, and the search function also returned results that were, ultimately, sold out.

The New York Times - Travel

Moreover, mobile devices are not always connected to the network which makes cloud resources sometimes unavailable.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Image logs, RCAL and SCAL tests are main tools to determine vugs, though all are costly and sometimes unavailable.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

"Gateways foster collaborations and the exchange of ideas among researchers and can democratize access, providing broad access to resources sometimes unavailable to those who are not at leading research institutions," said the project's principal investigator, UCSD's Nancy WilkiNancyehr.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Surgery in parts of the developing world, and particularly caesarean sections without which women with difficult labours may die, would be reduced and sometimes even unavailable.

The Guardian

She has borrowed a little cooking gas from her brother but has to be careful not to use too much - the price of gas has doubled in recent months and is sometimes simply unavailable.

The Guardian

Existing algorithms for Landsat albedo estimation all require surface reflectance from explicit and reliable atmospheric correction, which may sometimes be unavailable or carry uncertainties due to saturated visible bands or a lack of dense vegetation.

Remote Sensing of Environment

Mancini had spoken to Wilmots about Kompany's injury but believes the onus was on the defender to make himself unavailable: "Sometimes the player should understand that the club is more important.

The Guardian - Sport

For maintaining the quality of resources we require high processing power and high end equipments that are sometimes expensive and unavailable.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometimes unavailable", ensure the context clarifies the specific circumstances or reasons for the unavailability. For instance, specify whether it's due to technical issues, resource constraints, or scheduling conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes unavailable" without providing sufficient detail. Saying "the service is sometimes unavailable" is less effective than saying "the service is sometimes unavailable due to scheduled maintenance on weekends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes unavailable" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and used to describe a state of intermittent lack of access or presence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometimes unavailable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates intermittent accessibility or presence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s versatile, fitting into both formal and informal contexts, as supported by examples from various sources like The New York Times and scientific journals. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to provide specific reasons for the unavailability. Related phrases like "not always accessible" or "occasionally inaccessible" can be used as alternatives depending on the nuances you want to convey. While the frequency of "sometimes unavailable" is common across science and news, remember to provide context and avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not always accessible

Directly states that something is not accessible in every situation.

occasionally inaccessible

Focuses on access rather than availability, suggesting that something is not reachable at times.

intermittently out of service

Specifically refers to services that are not functioning regularly, emphasizing the disruption.

sporadically not present

Highlights the lack of presence in an irregular manner, broadening the context beyond functionality.

periodically unsupplied

Emphasizes an irregular interruption in supply, suitable for contexts involving resources.

irregularly obtainable

Implies that getting something is subject to unpredictable conditions.

now and then deficient

Suggests a lack of something at irregular intervals, with emphasis on inadequacy.

at times unattainable

Highlights the difficulty in reaching or achieving something on occasion.

off and on deficient

Highlights an alternating pattern of presence and absence.

at certain times lacking

Indicates a deficiency during specific, unspecified moments.

FAQs

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

You can use "sometimes unavailable" to describe a resource, service, or person that is not accessible or present at all times. For example, "The online booking system is "sometimes unavailable" during peak hours due to high traffic."

What phrases are similar to "sometimes unavailable"?

Similar phrases include "not always accessible", "occasionally inaccessible", or "intermittently out of service". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "sometimes unavailable" or "always unavailable"?

The choice depends on the accuracy of the description. "Sometimes unavailable" implies that the resource is accessible at least some of the time, while "always unavailable" means it is never accessible. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual situation.

What does it mean when something is "sometimes unavailable"?

It means that the thing in question is not accessible or present at all times. There are periods where it cannot be used or reached, often due to specific reasons or conditions.