Quick answer: Both “at times” and “sometimes” are grammatically correct and mean the same thing: occasionally. However, “sometimes” is the standard choice for most writing because it is concise and direct. Use “at times” only when you need a slightly more formal tone or want to vary your sentence rhythm.
Writers often hesitate between these two phrases, wondering if one is more “correct” than the other. The confusion usually stems from style rather than grammar. While both are acceptable, they carry different weights in a sentence. As an editor who has marked up thousands of manuscripts, I can tell you that overusing “at times” makes prose feel padded and indirect. Knowing when to swap one for the other is a hallmark of polished writing.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Sometimes | The standard adverb for “occasionally.” Use this in 90% of cases for clarity and brevity. | I sometimes forget to lock the front door. |
| At times | A prepositional phrase meaning “occasionally.” Use this for formal emphasis or rhythmic variation. | The project was challenging at times, but we succeeded. |
When to use sometimes
“Sometimes” is an adverb. It is the workhorse of frequency words. It sits comfortably in the middle or beginning of a sentence and delivers its meaning without fuss. In modern English, conciseness is king. If you can say something in four letters instead of seven (plus a space), you should usually choose the shorter option.
I see this error constantly in cover letters and business emails. Writers try to sound sophisticated by choosing longer phrases, but they end up sounding vague. “Sometimes” is precise. It tells the reader exactly how often an action occurs: not always, not never, but on certain occasions.
Consider these examples where “sometimes” is the superior choice:
- In a casual email: “I sometimes check my work emails on weekends, but I try not to.” (Using “at times” here would feel stiff and unnatural.)
- In a technical manual: “The system sometimes fails to sync if the internet connection is unstable.” (Clarity is critical here; “sometimes” gets straight to the point.)
- In a narrative: “She sometimes wondered if she had made the right choice.” (This flows better than the clunkier “She wondered at times if…”)
The word “sometimes” is deeply rooted in the English language. According to Wikipedia, it functions as a frequency adverb similar to “often” or “rarely.” Its primary job is to modify the verb directly. When you place it before the main verb, it creates a smooth, predictable rhythm that readers process quickly.
When to use at times
“At times” is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial. It means the exact same thing as “sometimes,” but it carries a different tonal weight. It feels heavier, more deliberate, and slightly more formal. You might choose it when you want to emphasize the intermittent nature of an experience, particularly if that experience is difficult, emotional, or complex.
Because it is three syllables spread across two words, “at times” slows the reader down. This can be a useful tool. If you are writing a reflective essay or a formal report, you might use “at times” to create a pause or to add gravity to a statement.
Here are scenarios where “at times” works better:
- In a formal performance review: “The candidate demonstrated strong leadership skills, though he was hesitant at times during group discussions.” (The phrase adds a slight formality appropriate for HR documentation.)
- In a literary memoir: “Grief comes in waves. At times, it is manageable; at others, it is overwhelming.” (The repetition of “at times” creates a rhetorical balance that “sometimes” cannot achieve as easily.)
- In a historical analysis: “The alliance was strong, but it fractured at times due to conflicting economic interests.” (The phrase fits the academic tone of the sentence.)
Note that “times” itself has a broad history. As noted in the Wikipedia entry on Times, the word refers to indefinite periods or occasions. When we say “at times,” we are literally pointing to specific, albeit undefined, moments in a timeline. This literalness can make the phrase feel more concrete than the abstract adverb “sometimes.”
How to remember the difference
The best way to remember which one to use is the Weight Test.
Imagine your sentence is a backpack. “Sometimes” is a feather. It adds almost no weight. “At times” is a small rock. It adds a little bit of heft.
- If your sentence is already long or complex, do not add the rock. Use the feather (“sometimes”).
- If your sentence is short and feels too abrupt, or if you need to sound more serious, add the rock (“at times”).
Another trick is the Substitution Rule. Always write “sometimes” first. Then, read the sentence aloud. If it sounds too casual or repetitive, try swapping in “at times.” If the swap makes the sentence sound pretentious or clunky, switch back. Most of the time, you will stick with “sometimes.”
I once edited a novel where the author used “at times” in every other chapter. It became a tic. The prose felt like it was wading through mud. We changed 80% of those instances to “sometimes,” and the pacing improved immediately. The characters felt more immediate, less distant.
Common mistakes and exceptions
While both terms are correct, there are pitfalls. The biggest mistake is using “at times” to sound smarter. This is a classic case of “thesaurus syndrome.” Using a longer phrase does not make your writing better; it often makes it harder to read.
Mistake 1: Redundancy Do not use both together. Never write “sometimes at times.” It is redundant and awkward.
- Incorrect: “I sometimes at times feel tired.”
- Correct: “I sometimes feel tired.”
Mistake 2: Misplacement “Sometimes” is flexible. It can go at the start, middle, or end of a sentence. “At times” is less flexible. It usually sounds best at the beginning or end of a clause, not squeezed between the subject and verb.
- Awkward: “He at times forgets his keys.”
- Better: “At times, he forgets his keys.” OR “He forgets his keys at times.”
US vs. UK Differences There is no significant difference between American and British English regarding these two terms. Both varieties accept “sometimes” as the standard adverb and “at times” as a formal alternative. You do not need to adjust your choice based on geography. However, British English tends to favor understatement, so “at times” might appear slightly more frequently in formal UK journalism to soften a critique. For example, a UK reviewer might write, “The film was at times confusing,” whereas a US reviewer might write, “The film was sometimes confusing.” The difference is subtle, but it exists in tone.
Exception: Emphasis If you want to emphasize that something happens rarely but significantly, “at times” can be stronger. Consider the difference:
- “He is sometimes rude.” (This sounds like a general observation.)
- “He is rude at times.” (This sounds like you are recalling specific, memorable incidents.)
The second version puts the focus on the occasions themselves. It invites the reader to imagine those specific moments. Use this power sparingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “at times” more formal than “sometimes”? Yes. “At times” is generally considered more formal and literary. “Sometimes” is neutral and works in all contexts, from text messages to academic papers.
Can I use “at times” in professional emails? You can, but “sometimes” is usually better. Professional communication values clarity and brevity. Unless you are writing a very formal letter or report, stick to “sometimes” to ensure your message is processed quickly.
Why do writers confuse “at times” and “sometimes”? They confuse them because they are synonyms. The confusion is not about meaning, but about register (formality). Writers often think the longer phrase is “better” English, but in modern editing, concise is preferred.
Is it wrong to use “at times” in fiction? No, it is not wrong. In fiction, rhythm matters. If a character speaks formally, or if the narrator has a contemplative voice, “at times” fits well. Just avoid overusing it, as it can slow down the narrative pace.
Kimberly Sanchez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from UCLA and has spent over a decade working as a language consultant and educator. Her journey in the world of words began with a curiosity about how language shapes our perception of the world. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for making complex concepts accessible, Kimberly specializes in the nuances of English word comparisons and their real-world implications. She joined WordCompareHub to share her insights on frequently confused words and to promote a deeper understanding of language accuracy. Kimberly writes content that is both enlightening and practical, aimed at readers who seek to enhance their communication skills. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is an avid reader and enjoys exploring multilingual environments to observe linguistic diversity in action.