which is sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is sometimes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that provides additional information about a subject, indicating that the information is not always the case. Example: "The weather in this region is unpredictable, which is sometimes a challenge for farmers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less serious," which is sometimes also appearing as "Less serious".

The New York Times

Which is sometimes difficult when you're in your own country.

The New York Times

That's grid parity, which is sometimes called socket parity.

The Washington Post

Which is sometimes the scariest shock of all.

The New York Times

The privates get a lot of flack for their high prices, which is sometimes justified.

Stanford University

So this gives rise to something which is sometimes called the hedonic treadmill.

Yale University

It has a mean function, and the covariance function, which is sometimes called the kernel.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Microsoft is often accused of having no taste, which is sometimes true.

The New Yorker

In a car, you are finally nowhere, which is sometimes where you truly want to be.

The New Yorker

During childhood, the nucleus accumbens, which is sometimes called the "pleasure center," grows.

The New Yorker

Green specimens are called amazonstone, which is sometimes used as a gem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is sometimes" to introduce non-essential information that is true in some but not all cases. This helps to avoid making overly broad generalizations and adds nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "which is sometimes", as it can weaken your writing by suggesting uncertainty. If possible, provide more specific conditions or examples to clarify when the statement applies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is sometimes" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about the preceding clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. For example, "Green specimens are called amazonstone, which is sometimes used as a gem."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is sometimes" is a versatile phrase used to introduce qualifications or exceptions to general statements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and encyclopedias. It functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, adding nuance and accuracy to writing. While it's essential to avoid overuse, as it can weaken statements, the phrase remains a valuable tool for expressing occasional occurrences or conditions. As Ludwig examples show, its neutrality makes it suitable for different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which may sometimes be

Inverts the order of "sometimes" and "be" offering the same meaning.

which can be occasionally

Adds "can be" to emphasize possibility, slightly altering the focus.

that is at times

This alternative has a similar meaning but emphasizes specific moments or instances.

that is in some cases

Highlights that the statement applies to certain situations, not universally.

that is occasionally

Replaces "which is sometimes" with a more formal and less frequent alternative.

that is on occasion

Formal and suggests a specific instance or event.

which is not always

Expresses a similar idea by negating "always", suggesting exceptions.

that is from time to time

Slightly more formal than "now and then", still indicating infrequent occurrence.

that is periodically

Implies a recurring pattern, differentiating it from the randomness of "sometimes".

that is now and then

An informal alternative suggesting infrequent occurrences.

FAQs

What does "which is sometimes" mean?

The phrase "which is sometimes" indicates that something is true or happens occasionally, but not always. It introduces a qualification or exception to a general statement.

How can I use "which is sometimes" in a sentence?

You can use "which is sometimes" to add extra information to a clause, indicating that the information applies only in certain situations. For example: "The process can be lengthy, "which is sometimes" frustrating for users."

What are some alternatives to "which is sometimes"?

Alternatives include "occasionally", "at times", "in some cases", or "from time to time". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "which is often" or "which is sometimes"?

The choice between "which is often" and "which is sometimes" depends on the frequency of the occurrence you are describing. Use "which is often" if something happens frequently, and "which is sometimes" if it happens less often. The key difference is the frequency of the subject. Example: the use of which is often helpful, which is sometimes seen.