sometimes
Not every time
Sometimes means occasionally or now and then—not always, but not never either.
It indicates irregular or intermittent occurrence: Sometimes I walk to work, sometimes I drive.
The word often pairs with other times to show alternation: Sometimes she's friendly, other times distant.
At infrequent intervals
- rarelyNot often occurring
- seldomOn few occasions
- now and thenAt infrequent intervals
- once in a whileAt irregular intervals
every so often · at times · on occasion · not often · infrequently · hardly ever · periodically · intermittently
Without deliberate selection
- unexpectedlyWithout prior indication
- erraticallyIn an inconsistent manner
- inconsistentlyIn an unreliable manner
- variablyIn differing amounts
irregularly · capriciously · haphazardly · fitfully · unevenly · unreliably · whimsically · mercurially
Contingent on something else
- contingentlyDepending on circumstances
- circumstantiallyBy indirect evidence
- situationallyIn a context-dependent manner
- as neededWhen necessity arises
occasionally
At infrequent intervals
- rarelyNot often occurring
- seldomOn few occasions
- now and thenAt infrequent intervals
once in a while · every so often · at times · on occasion · not often · infrequently · hardly ever · periodically · intermittently · sporadically
randomly
Without deliberate selection
- unexpectedlyWithout prior indication
- erraticallyIn an inconsistent manner
- inconsistentlyIn an unreliable manner
variably · irregularly · capriciously · haphazardly · fitfully · unevenly · unreliably · whimsically · mercurially · changeably
depending
Contingent on something else
- contingentlyDepending on circumstances
- circumstantiallyBy indirect evidence
- situationallyIn a context-dependent manner
sometimesalways
At all times
never · constantly · invariably · perpetually · incessantly