TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

Our experts

can be sometimes vs can sometimes be

Both phrases are correct, but the more common, natural phrasing is "can sometimes be." The adverb "sometimes" usually comes before the verb phrase in English.
Miss E. profile picture

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 20, 2024 • 12032 views

can be sometimes

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that something has the potential to occur occasionally or at certain times.

Examples:

  • The weather in this city can be sometimes unpredictable.
  • His behavior can be sometimes confusing.
  • The internet connection can be sometimes unreliable.
  • The quality of the product can be sometimes inconsistent.
  • Her mood can be sometimes difficult to predict.
  • Dec 7, 2023 ... I love how broken this game can be sometimes. r/HiTMAN - I love how broken this game can be sometimes. 9 upvotes · 3 comments. r ...
  • Mar 11, 2021 ... … it's funny how ironic He can be sometimes. Today marks a year to the exact date of my last tour with AAADT ending abruptly. And here I am, ...
  • Mar 13, 2020 ... I love how cheeky Postgres documentation can be sometimes. r/PostgreSQL - a screenshot of a ...
  • 15K likes, 509 comments - momentaryhappiness on March 7, 2024: "As hard as it can be, sometimes you need to decide it's time to let go of one version of ...
  • Jun 23, 2019 ... I forgot how self aware this game can be sometimes. Meta. r/starbound - I ...
  • Apr 6, 2023 ... 17K likes, 505 comments - momentaryhappiness on April 6, 2023: "96/365 • As hard as it can be, sometimes you need to decide it's time to let ...
  • Mar 18, 2018 ... Look at how absurd build battle can be sometimes ... Not open for further replies because of inactivity. ... Go to page. Go.
  • Sep 17, 2024 ... Outfit Yui Kimura - Forest Guide - Tail can be sometimes seen between wall and locker · Welcome to BHVR Forums · Official Dead by Daylight ...
  • Jul 21, 2023 ... Oh so true… they really can be sometimes (not you Christopher Oldnall , you were always perfect ) but for all working parents this is great ...
  • Feb 6, 2022 ... Given how zealous the Imperium humans can be sometimes, can there be a possibility where the Chaos forces are actually just another ...

Alternatives:

  • can sometimes be
  • can occasionally be
  • can be at times
  • can be intermittently
  • can be sporadically

can sometimes be

This phrase is the more common and natural way to express the idea.

This phrase is used to indicate that something has the potential to occur occasionally or at certain times.

Examples:

  • The weather in this city can sometimes be unpredictable.
  • His behavior can sometimes be confusing.
  • The internet connection can sometimes be unreliable.
  • The quality of the product can sometimes be inconsistent.
  • Her mood can sometimes be difficult to predict.
  • Jan 8, 2015 ... 'SMART' Goals Can Sometimes Be Dumb · Was that accomplishment easy or hard to achieve? · Did I exert a little or a lot of effort to reach that ...
  • Aug 20, 2024 ... See! Transit can “sometimes” be faster in LA! Discussion.
  • Feb 23, 2020 ... This problem can sometimes be caused by disabling or refusing to accept cookies. Any body can help give a solution how i resolve thsi issue.
  • r/forhonor 5 yr. ago. SuckThisRichard. ADMIN MOD. Join. Options. Report. Centurions hyper armor can sometimes be useful. This video cannot be ...
  • Jun 14, 2021 ... 3 thoughts on “Fishing Can Sometimes Be “For the Birds”” ... It's very cool to hear interesting stories like this in nature! Tom is a good story ...
  • Feb 17, 2021 ... This problem can sometimes be caused by disabling or refusing to accept cookies. I have cleared my cookies and cache and restarted numerous times. This message ...
  • Protest movements involving limited violence can sometimes be effective: Evidence from the 2020 BlackLivesMatter protests. Eric Shuman https://orcid.org/0000 ...
  • Oct 28, 2024 ... 113 likes, 44 comments - shirin.dogtraining on October 28, 2024: "A simple question but the answers can sometimes be complex.
  • Apr 5, 2022 ... Protest movements involving limited violence can sometimes be effective: Evidence from the 2020 BlackLivesMatter protests. Proc Natl Acad Sci ...
  • Oct 2, 2024 ... Base layers can sometimes be the hardest step. Just saying ready...set and go. Laying out the composition is key to building depth and can help with composition ...

Alternatives:

  • can be sometimes
  • can occasionally be
  • can be at times
  • can be intermittently
  • can be sporadically

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9TextRanch on TrustPilot).

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!