we sometimes use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we sometimes use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions or practices that are not done consistently but occur occasionally. Example: "In our research, we sometimes use qualitative methods to gather more in-depth insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

So why do we sometimes use "no" instead?

The New Yorker

We sometimes use dynamite to extinguish bad fires!

University of California, Berkeley

Don't conflate brief communications and clear communications: In our efforts to be efficient, we sometimes use fewer words to communicate.

Harvard Business Review

We sometimes use coloring books with cartoon characters, or meet in the playground in an O.R.R. facility.

The New Yorker

We arrest people; we give summonses; we're the bearers of bad news; we sometimes use deadly force".

The New York Times

"We need to stay a step ahead of them, so we sometimes use a higher-level of force".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"When I was making clothes, we sometimes used recycled stuff — we made clothes from older clothes".

The New York Times - Arts

With great shenanigans, the fete was held in the Memorial Center, a building across from our school that we sometimes used as a gym -- if we were lucky.

The New York Times

It was different for the cold northern part of China, where we sometimes used fur inside the shoes.

Los Angeles Times

In our current studies, we sometimes used large-field visual motion stimulation (Fig. 3 B, C ) to reveal FEF visual sensitivity.

Cerebral Cortex

"Because patients are already living longer than two years with conventional treatment, we weren't able to apply the flexibility we can sometimes use when we appraise cancer drugs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we sometimes use", ensure the context clarifies why the usage is not consistent. This adds clarity and avoids implying incompetence or lack of standardization.

Common error

Avoid overusing "we sometimes use" in contexts where consistency is expected. Over-reliance can suggest a lack of clear procedures or standards. Instead, opt for more decisive language when describing established practices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we sometimes use" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a particular action or tool is employed occasionally, but not consistently. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we sometimes use" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression indicating that a particular action or tool is employed on occasion, as validated by Ludwig. While commonly used across diverse contexts like news media, scientific research, and academic discourse, it's crucial to employ it judiciously, particularly when consistency is expected. For more formal communication, consider alternatives like "we occasionally employ". Overusing this phrase can suggest a lack of standardized procedures. As demonstrated through various examples provided by Ludwig, understanding the context and intended nuance ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we occasionally employ

Replaces "sometimes" with "occasionally" and "use" with the more formal "employ".

we periodically utilize

Substitutes "sometimes" with "periodically" and "use" with "utilize", suggesting a recurring but not constant action.

we might occasionally apply

Uses "might" and "occasionally" to express possibility and infrequency, while "apply" replaces "use".

we on occasion implement

Expresses that the implementation happens only "on occasion", keeping the sense of sporadic usage.

we infrequently resort to

Indicates that the action is not a first choice and is used sparingly.

we now and then administer

Implies that the administration of something happens irregularly, maintaining the idea of occasional use.

we sporadically operate with

Suggests an irregular and unpredictable use, replacing "use" with "operate with".

we will infrequently draw on

Suggests a reliance on something that happens rarely, using "draw on" instead of "use".

we from time to time handle

Conveys an infrequent engagement with something, using "handle" as an alternative to "use".

we seldom take advantage of

Implies rare opportunities to use something, framing it as an advantage.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we sometimes use" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "we occasionally employ" or "we periodically utilize", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we sometimes use"?

Yes, "we sometimes use" is grammatically correct. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is commonly used across various types of writing and speech.

What's the difference between "we sometimes use" and "we usually use"?

"We sometimes use" indicates that the action or tool is employed occasionally, whereas "we usually use" implies that it's the more common practice, but not necessarily the only one.

When is it inappropriate to use "we sometimes use"?

It may be inappropriate in contexts where consistency is crucial, such as describing standard operating procedures or regulations. In such cases, using a more definitive phrase like "we always use" or "we consistently use" would be more suitable.