People often use the word ‘sometime’, when they actually mean ‘sometimes’ or ‘some time’. There is huge bewilderment in English learners and students, regarding the use of these three, as they look alike, but have different meanings. ‘Sometime‘ can be used to mean ‘at an unspecified point in time which is either gone or yet to come’.
On the other hand, ‘some time’ is an expression, which describes ‘a span of time, no matter long or short’. We use the word sometimes, for ‘an event or activity that takes place off and on’, i.e. not very often, but on specific circumstances. Read out the examples to understand the difference between sometime, some time and sometimes:
- I sometimes spend some time with my old friends, who were at my school sometime.
- As the product was ready to launch at sometime next week, sometimes I stayed for some time in the company, even after working hours is complete.
- The new CEO is a sometime singer. Sometimes, she sings for some time, to relax.
Content: Sometime Vs Some time Vs Sometimes
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparison | Sometime | Some time | Sometimes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Sometime is used to talk about at a time, in past or future which is not specified or known. | Some time denotes a duration of time. | Sometimes refers to not very intermittently or regularly but every now and then. |
| Pronunciation | ˈsʌmtʌɪm | sʌm tʌɪm | ˈsʌmtʌɪmz |
| Respresents | When something happened or will happen? | What amount of time? | How often something happens? |
| Part of speech | Adverb and Adjective | Phrase | Adverb |
| Examples | The book will be published sometime next month. | Finally, they got some time to talk about the matter. | I sometimes think, what am I supposed to do? |
| You must visit Delhi sometime. | I love to spend some time with my grandmother. | Sometimes you need to take a stand for yourself, for your own welfare. | |
| The incident took place sometime in the evening. | He purchased a new phone to use for some time, as the old one is under-repair. | Sometimes I help my mother in the kitchen. |
Definition of Sometime
‘Sometime’ is primarily used to mean ‘at some point in time, which is not certain or known’. However, it has several uses, depending on the form of speech, it is used as:
- As an adverb, ‘sometime’ means at an indefinite time in past or future, which is not mentioned or known:
- Please come and have coffee with me sometime.
- I will finish the work sometime next week.
- Sometime in February, I met Harry in the market.
- The movie is expected to release sometime in December.
- As an adverb, it can mean in the past, but not anymore:
- The Chief Minister was a sometime student of Delhi University.
- The book was written by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, sometime Prime Minister of India.
Definition of Some time
The term ‘some time’ is a two-word expression, wherein ‘some’ is an adjective and time is a ‘noun’, which means some amount of time. It is used to describe a period of time, irrespective of long or short. Let’s look at these examples to understand them better:
- Can you wait for some time, the manager is on the way?
- The event will begin in some time.
- I am going to my friend’s place for some time now.
- The couple moved to Agra, for some time.
- I will call you in some time.
- Shall we go out for a walk for some time?
Definition of Sometimes
The word ‘sometimes’ indicates adverb of frequency which means occasionally, i.e. when an event or activity takes place on some occasions only, but not every time. It is used to talk about how often something is done. Let’s take a look at the examples for understanding them better:
- Sometimes the students shout so loudly that the teacher gives them punishment.
- Sometimes my parents take me to the market.
- I sometimes have oats in my dinner.
- Jane sometimes goes for a night out with her friends.
- Alex sometimes borrows his friend’s bike to go to college.
- I sometimes walk to my office.
- Sometimes its difficult to understand what’s going on in other person’s mind.
Key Differences Between Sometime, Some time and Sometimes
The difference between sometime, some time and sometimes is provided below in detail:
- When we do not know the exact time of the happening of an activity or event, we use the word ‘sometime’. As against, when in our conversation, we talk about a span of time, we use the expression ‘some time’. Conversely, when an act or event occurs on specific occasions, but not daily or always, it is called sometimes.
- ‘Sometime’ is one word, which is primarily used as an adverb, but it can also be used as an adjective. Some time is a two-word phrase, wherein ‘some’ is an adjective of quantity and ‘time’ is an abstract noun. Lastly, sometimes is a one-word adverb of frequency.
- The word ‘sometime’ is used to denote when an action took place or will take place, whereas some time indicates what amount of time. As against, sometimes is used to represent the frequency of something, i.e. how often an action takes place.
Examples
Sometime
- Varun is a sometime painter.
- I will move to New York sometime next year.
- Sometime a month ago, my relatives came to meet me.
Some time
- Can you give me some time to prepare the speech?
- She needs some time to think over this matter?
- Katherine will stay in Dubai for some time.
Sometimes
- Sometimes I feel like going for a long drive.
- I like to drink tea instead of coffee sometimes.
- Paul goes to orphanage sometimes.
How to remember the difference
A thumb rule to understand the difference between these three is to use replacement trick. If you can replace the word (sometime/some time/sometimes) with anytime/sooner/later/someday, you can use sometime, and if it is replaceable with some amount of time, use some time. Lastly, if it can be substituted with occasionally, use sometimes.
Ananya V says
Such a great article! Thank you for sharing.