There are some word combinations in English that can be quite a pain in the ass. One such combination is of the following three:
- sometime
- some time
- sometimes
Let’s approach these three in a simple and direct manner (with an example of each highlighting the difference):
- “Sometimes” means “now and then” or “occasionally,” so when you say “Sometimes I question everything that is in front of me”, all you mean to say is that you do this every now and then.
- “Sometime” means “at some unspecified time”: Let’s leave for now and get back for our deliberations sometime.
- “Some time” means “quite a while”: I think I’ll need to spend some time on my Algebra skills.
Exercise: Choose the right word.
Now that you have a basic idea of the distinction between the three words, lets solve an exercise to:
1. Anuj said we would get married (sometimes/some time/sometime) next year, but I no longer believe him!
2. I (sometimes/some time/sometime) wonder why you never feel happy! You’ve got everything you need!
3. She lived in India for (sometimes/some time/sometime) and now speaks perfect Hindi.
4. The last time I met her was (sometimes/some time/sometime) in June.
5. Ram will do it, don’t worry, but it’ll take him (sometimes/some time/sometime)!
6. You will have to tell your husband the truth (sometimes/some time/sometime) or another! So why not now?
7. (Sometimes/some time/sometime) Heena doesn’t feel like talking to anyone.
8. ‘How long does it take you to go to work?’ (sometimes/some time/sometime) ‘!’
9. Good! so I’ll call you (sometimes/some time/sometime) during the week and we’ll arrange the class.
10. Would anyone here dare to say ‘It took me (sometimes/some time/sometime) to do this exercise’?
Answer key:
1. sometime 2. sometimes
3. some time 4. sometime
5. some time 6. sometime
7. Sometimes 8. Some time
9. sometime 10. some time