sometimes
gb/sˈʌmtˌaɪmz/ us/sˈʌmtˌaɪmz/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
property
1
Occasionally; not all the time
Happens on some days or times, but not every day or time.
Usage pattern:
[sentence] sometimes [verb/subject]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sometimes' with 'some time'. 'Sometimes' means occasionally, while 'some time' means a period of time.
Synonyms
occasionally (Slightly more formal, used in similar contexts.)
|
at times (More literary or reflective tone.)
Antonyms
always (Indicates something happens at all times, opposite of sometimes.)
|
never (Indicates something does not happen at any time.)
Collocations
sometimes happen
|sometimes see
|sometimes feel
|sometimes go
Themes
daily life
|time
|frequency
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Sometimes I walk to work instead of taking the bus.
- It sometimes rains in the summer here.
- She sometimes forgets to lock the door.
- We sometimes eat dinner outside when the weather is nice.
- He sometimes calls me late at night.
Learner examples
- I sometimes play football after school.
- She sometimes eats pizza for lunch.
- We sometimes go to the park.
- He sometimes watches TV before bed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sometimes
IPA
GB/sˈʌmtˌaɪmz/
US/sˈʌmtˌaɪmz/
Syllables & stress
some - times (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (some)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sometimes
- Plural: sometimeses
Word family
Expressions
now and then
1/nˈaʊ ˈænd ðˈɛn/
fixed phrase
Occasionally; every so often
Happens sometimes, not all the time.
Examples
- I enjoy a glass of wine now and then.
- She calls her grandparents now and then.
every once in a while
1/ˈɛvɹi wˈʌns ˈɪn ə wˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
Occasionally; from time to time
Happens sometimes, but not often.
Examples
- Every once in a while, we go out for ice cream after dinner.
- Every once in a while, I like to try a new recipe.
- You should back up your computer files every once in a while.
- He calls me every once in a while just to chat.
from time to time
1/fɹˈʌm tˈaɪm tə tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
Occasionally; at intervals
Happens sometimes, but not regularly.
Examples
- From time to time, I like to read old letters.
- We go camping from time to time.
- We meet for lunch from time to time.
- From time to time, she likes to visit the art gallery.
from time to time
2/fɹˈʌm tˈaɪm tə tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
occasionally
Sometimes, but not regularly.
Examples
- I like to go hiking from time to time.
- From time to time, we eat out instead of cooking.