Word
sometimes
Phoneticssome·times, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsəmˌtaɪmz/
UK/sˈʌmtaɪmz/
日本語時々※
Adverb of frequency
Definition
adv. on some occasions or at certain times, but not always.
adv. occurring on some occasions or in certain circumstances; indicates a frequency between 'rarely' and 'often'.
Examples
“I sometimes walk to work when the weather is nice.”
“Even though he enjoys his job, he sometimes feels overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork he has to finish.”
“While the software is generally reliable, it sometimes experiences minor glitches when processing large datasets during peak usage hours.”
Examples
simple
“I sometimes walk to work when the weather is nice.”
contextual
“Even though he enjoys his job, he sometimes feels overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork he has to finish.”
complex
“While the software is generally reliable, it sometimes experiences minor glitches when processing large datasets during peak usage hours.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “sometimes” in context.
Usage
As an adverb of frequency, it can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence for different from 'always' or 'never'.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse 'sometimes' (frequency) with 'sometime' (at an unknown point in time) or 'some time' (a period of time).
Pitfall
I sometimes am late for work.
I am sometimes late for work.
When using the verb 'to be', place 'sometimes' after the verb. For other verbs, it usually goes before the main verb.
Confusables
sometimes vs sometime vs some time
Sometime is a point in time, sometimes is a frequency, and some time is a duration.
RememberSometimes has an 's' for several times; some time is two words for a long time.
Etymology
From Middle English sumtymes, somtymes, som tymes, equivalent to sometime + -s (adverbial suffix). Compare West Frisian somstiden (“sometimes”), Dutch somtijds, somwijlen (“sometimes”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/sometimes
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0