Sometimes, Some Time, and Sometime: How Are They Used Differently?
Sometimes means 'every now and then':
✅ I sometimes fall asleep in lectures.
✅ Sometimes she goes to work by bus.
Some time means 'a block of time':
✅ Give me some time to think it over.
✅ It took us some time to figure out what was happening.
Sometime* means 'at a time in the future or the past that is not known exactly or has not yet been decided':
✅ I'd love to visit Hong Kong sometime.
✅ My brother will go on an exchange programme sometime next year.
*In British English, the two-word form some time is sometimes used instead of the one-word form.
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Examples from the Media
Feeling anxious? Can't sleep? Sometimes doing nothing is the best. —The Washington Post (2022)
Some of the adversity is cultural and some of it social. Sometimes it is about being Asian and other times it is about being an Asian woman. —Toronto Star (2018)
One problem that has been known to be a grave threat for some time is climate change. —The Globe and Mail (2022)
Scots with family in other parts of the country—or elsewhere in the UK—may not be able to meet up with their loved ones for some time, due to ongoing travel bans, Nicola Sturgeon has said. —The Scotsman (2021)
The Sydney-based couple became engaged while on holiday in Fiji in April 2018, and will get married sometime next month. —Daily Mail (2022)
The power couple reportedly received a $65 million advance from Random House for the two books, and the former president's was expected to be out sometime last year, but the report described Obama as "a deliberate writer prone to procrastination—and lengthy digression". —The Sydney Morning Herald (2020)
Practice
In the following sentences, fill in the blanks with sometimes, some time, or sometime.
1. After searching for quite ________, I was able to find this photo taken during the conference.
2. I'll see you ________ next week.
3. Please give us ________ to find a proper solution to the problem.
4. ________ things are not what they seem to be.
5. Chris returned from Australia ________ last Friday.
6. He has already been away for ________.
Answer Key
1. some time 2. sometime 3. some time 4. Sometimes 5. sometime 6. some time
Real-World Examples of Misuse
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| 1. Fishermen catch fish. Do not use fishes in this context. 2. Sometimes should be written as a single word. |
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| (Also by the Same Author: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7) |
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