Cool MateOccasionally vs Sometimes other times
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Occasionally
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Sometimes other times
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Occasionally
| Occasionally | Sometimes other times | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkeɪʒnəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkeɪʒnəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈsʌm.taɪmz ˈʌð.ər taɪmz//🇺🇸 //ˈsʌm.taɪmz ˈʌð.ɚ taɪmz// |
| Meaning | Sometimes, but not often. | At some points, but not always. |
| Example | We occasionally meet for a drink after work. | Sometimes other times it feels like nothing will change. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | occurs occasionally, rarely used occasionally, happens occasionally | explore sometimes other times, experience sometimes other times, feel sometimes other times |
| Antonyms | frequently, often, regularly | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'occasionally' when 'often' is more appropriate., Confusing 'occasionally' with 'occasion' (which is a noun)., Adding unnecessary prepositions, e.g., 'occasionally at'. | Confused with 'sometimes' only, losing the emphasis on contrast., Using inappropriately at the start of a sentence without context., Failing to punctuate correctly when used in lists. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written English. It often implies that something happens at irregular intervals, which makes it less formal than some alternatives, but still appropriate for most contexts. | Use when indicating variation in situations or conditions. Avoid in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Occasionally vs Sometimes other times
What's the difference between Occasionally and Sometimes other times?
Occasionally: Sometimes, but not often. Sometimes other times: At some points, but not always.
Which is more common: Occasionally and Sometimes other times?
Occasionally is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Occasionally: We occasionally meet for a drink after work. Sometimes other times: Sometimes other times it feels like nothing will change.
Can I use Occasionally and Sometimes other times interchangeably?
Not always. Occasionally and Sometimes other times are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.