So, you finally have the guts to ask your crush out on a date. Should you say we should go out sometime or we should go out sometimes? Or is it we should go out some time?
As a writer, even I get the spellings mixed up from time to time and have to double check for myself.
So, I’ll define some time, sometime, and sometimes with sentence examples for you. Learn the difference between the three terms to improve your grammar skills.
Is Sometime One Word or Two?
Sometime can be one word or two words (some time). These terms may have similar spellings, but they have a huge difference in meaning. Remember that sometime is an adverb, while some time is a phrase that means quite a while.
Sometime, Some Time, and Sometimes: How to Choose the Right Word
Find out the difference between some time, sometime, and sometimes.
Some Time Meaning
Some time with a space refers to a specific span of time or period of time. This phrase also means quite a while or a little bit of time to denote a specific duration of time. It is used in expressions like give me some time to process this.
Some is an adjective meaning an unspecified amount or number of. In this phrase, the adjective some describes the noun time to mean some periods of time
Here are some examples of sentences that use some time.
- John and Sarah have been dating for some time. (John and Sarah have been dating for quite a while).
- I need some time to rest before going back to school.
- The TV series has been airing for some time, but it remains on top.
Sometime Meaning
Sometime is an adverb that means an unspecified period or point in time or an unstated time in the future. That means there is no exact time for a specific situation. In some cases, there is an exact yet ambiguous time.
We define adverbs as words describing verbs, adjectives, and fellow adverbs. When someone tells us to call them sometime, it means to call them at an indefinite time or future time.
It is synonymous with someday, one day, sooner or later, and one of these days.
Here are some examples of sentences using sometime.
- I can’t remember what time dinner is happening tomorrow. I think it might be sometime around 6 PM.
- We usually turn the front porch light on sometime in the night.
- I thought we were going to the beach sometime this May.
A less common use of the word sometime is an adjective that means occasional. For example, a person who sometimes goes to your classes can be a sometime classmate.
Sometimes Meaning
Sometimes is a common adverb of frequency that means now and then or occasionally. Other examples of adverbs of frequency include seldom, frequently, and always. It is a one-word adverb like sometime, but it asks, “how often” instead of “when.”
Here are some sentence examples.
- Your jokes are sometimes funny.
- I sometimes have them too.
- I think sometimes you don’t appreciate my hard work.
Can a Sentence Start with Sometimes?
You can use the word sometimes at the beginning or end of a sentence. Below is an example:
- Sometimes I wonder what I could have achieved if I lived in the city.
Is it Some Time Today or Sometime Today?
The phrases some time today and sometime today can be difficult to differentiate because of their adverbial functions. But the more appropriate term is sometime today. Consider the examples below.
- I would like to meet with you sometime today. (I would like to meet you at an unspecified time today).
- I would like to meet with you some time today. (I would like to meet you quite a while today).
Notice how the two senses in sentences are different. The adverb phrase sometime today in the first sentence is correct. Here, the speaker wants to meet the person at an unspecified time but only a single time. Meanwhile, the second sentence is a grammar mistake.
Other popular phrases that use sometime include call me sometime and let’s meet sometime
Sometime or Some Time Next Week
As with sometime today, the correct term is sometime next week. The proper meaning of some time is an unspecified time. The phrase therefore means at an unspecified time next week.
How Do You Say After Some time?
After some time is a correct term which means after a specific period of time. Here is an example:
- We started talking. Then after some time, we had dinner.
Some Time, Sometime, and Sometimes Summary
I hope my explanation and examples has shown you the difference between some time, sometime, and sometimes.
Some time is a phrase that means a specific period of time. Sometime is an adverb that means at an unspecified span of time. Finally, sometimes is an adverb that means occasionally.