Sometimes vs. Sometime — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Sometimes denotes occasional occurrence; sometime refers to an unspecified point in time.
Difference Between Sometimes and Sometime
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Sometimes: Indicates occasional or now-and-then occurrences. Sometime: Refers to an unspecified or uncertain time.
Sometimes: Used for repeated actions or events. Sometime: Implies a singular, future occasion.
Sometimes: Often relates to habits or tendencies. Sometime: Can indicate a past or future event.
Sometimes: Suggests irregularity or inconsistency. Sometime: Implies a future plan or arrangement.
Sometimes: Adverb describing frequency. Sometime: Adverb or adjective describing when something will or did occur.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Usage Type
Adverb of frequency.
Adverb or adjective of time.
Indication
Occasional, irregular occurrences.
Unspecified or uncertain time.
Time Reference
Recurrent events or habits.
A single, non-specific future event.
Example Context
"I sometimes jog in the morning."
"Let's meet sometime next week."
Regularity
Implies irregular occurrence.
Suggests a one-time future occurrence.
Compare with Definitions
Sometimes
Describing now-and-then actions.
Sometimes, we watch movies on Fridays.
Sometime
Indicating an unspecified future point.
Let's have lunch sometime next week.
Sometimes
Indicating occasional occurrence.
Sometimes, I prefer to walk instead of drive.
Sometime
Can imply a past event with uncertain timing.
I visited that museum sometime last year.
Sometimes
Used for irregular frequency.
He sometimes forgets his keys.
Sometime
Referring to an uncertain time.
I'll finish the project sometime tomorrow.
Sometimes
Suggests sporadic events.
Sometimes, it rains unexpectedly.
Sometime
Suggesting a future, undetermined time.
Call me sometime in the evening.
Sometimes
At times; now and then.
Sometime
Used for vague scheduling.
We should catch up sometime soon.
Sometimes
(Obsolete) At some previous time; formerly.
Sometime
At an indefinite or unstated time
I'll meet you sometime this afternoon.
Sometimes
On certain occasions, or in certain circumstances, but not always.
Sometimes I sit and think, but mostly I just sit.
Sometime
At an indefinite time in the future
Let's get together sometime.
Sometimes
(obsolete) On a certain occasion in the past; once.
Sometime
(Archaic) Formerly.
Sometimes
(obsolete) Former; sometime.
Sometime
(Obsolete) At times; sometimes.
Sometimes
Formerly; sometime.
That fair and warlike formIn which the majesty of buried DenmarkDid sometimes march.
Sometime
Having been at some prior time; former
A sometime secretary.
Sometimes
At times; at intervals; not always; now and then; occasionally.
It is good that we sometimes be contradicted.
Sometime
Usage Problem Occasional.
Sometimes
Former; sometime.
Thy sometimes brother's wife.
Sometime
At an indefinite but stated time in the past or future.
I'll see you at the pub sometime this evening.
This will certainly happen sometime in the future.
It happened sometime yesterday.
Sometimes
On certain occasions or in certain cases but not always;
Sometimes she wished she were back in England
Sometimes her photography is breathtaking
Sometimes they come for a month; at other times for six months
Sometime
(obsolete) Sometimes.
Sometimes
Implies not always, but at times.
She's sometimes late to meetings.
Sometime
(obsolete) At an unstated past or future time; once; formerly.
Sometime
Former, erstwhile; at some previous time.
My sometime friend and mentor
Sometime
Occasional.
An author and sometime lecturer
Sometime
At a past time indefinitely referred to; once; formerly.
Did they not sometime cry "All hail" to me?
Sometime
At a time undefined; once in a while; now and then; sometimes.
Sometime we see a cloud that's dragonish,A vapor sometime like a bear or lion.
Sometime
At one time or other hereafter; as, I will do it sometime.
Sometime
Having been formerly; former; late; whilom.
Our sometime sister, now our queen.
Ion, our sometime darling, whom we prized.
Sometime
Belonging to some prior time;
Erstwhile friend
Our former glory
The once capital of the state
Her quondam lover
Sometime
At some indefinite or unstated time;
Let's get together sometime
Everything has to end sometime
It was to be printed sometime later
Common Curiosities
How is "sometime" used?
To refer to an unspecified or uncertain time.
Is "sometimes" used for regular events?
No, it's for irregular or occasional events.
Does "sometimes" imply consistency?
No, it implies inconsistency.
What does "sometimes" mean?
It means occasionally or now and then.
Does "sometime" have an adjectival form?
Yes, it can describe a one-time event.
Do "sometime" plans often lack specifics?
Yes, they're usually unscheduled or open-ended.
Can "sometime" be used for planning?
Yes, for suggesting future, unscheduled plans.
Can "sometime" indicate past events?
Yes, when the exact time is not known.
Can "sometimes" refer to habits?
Yes, irregular or occasional habits.
Can "sometimes" be used in negative contexts?
Yes, to indicate occasional undesirable events.
Is "sometime" precise in timing?
No, it's vague or uncertain.
Can "sometime" mean "formerly"?
Yes, in the context of "sometime friend."
Is "sometimes" ever used in formal writing?
Yes, but sparingly and contextually.
Is "sometimes" always about the present?
No, it can refer to past or future events too.
Is "sometime" good for tentative scheduling?
Yes, it's perfect for flexible or uncertain plans.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Microcontroller vs. Microcomputer
Next Comparison
Comment vs. CommentaryAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
