English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
SOMETIME, SOMETIMES or SOME TIME?
It won’t be ready until ~sometimes~ in the future (nonstandard).
It won’t be ready until *sometime* in the future (standard).
You use sometime to refer to a time in the future or the past that is unknown or that has not yet been decided.
Have you noticed how tired he ~sometime~ looks (nonstandard)?
Have you noticed how tired he *sometimes* looks (standard)?
You use sometimes to say that something happens on some occasions rather than all the time.
For ~sometime~, I have known that he isn’t a nice person (nonstandard).
For ~sometimes~, I have known that he isn’t a nice person (nonstandard).
For *some time*, I have known that he isn’t a nice person (standard).
When some time is two words, it refers to a span of time. In fact, it often means “a long time.”
Now, put yourself to the test
1. ___ it’s best not to say anything.
2. He actually cooks __, but he avoids doing so most times.
3. I wish to be in Paris __.
4. The list won’t be out until __ in December.
5. His wife has known for __ that he is restless.
GAB
1. Sometimes.
2. Sometime.
3. Some time.
4. Sometimes.
5. Some time.