{"id":5564,"date":"2025-04-22T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/?p=5564"},"modified":"2025-03-27T01:59:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T01:59:48","slug":"sometimes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/","title":{"rendered":"Mix it Up: Presenting Alternatives for \"Sometimes\""},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Adverbs_of_Frequency\" >Adverbs of Frequency<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Alternatives_for_%E2%80%9CSometimes%E2%80%9D\" >Alternatives for &#8220;Sometimes&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#From_time_to_time\" >From time to time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Once_in_a_while\" >Once in a while<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Occasionally\" >Occasionally<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Every_now_and_then\" >Every now and then<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Every_so_often\" >Every so often<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#When_the_mood_strikes\" >When the mood strikes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Sporadically\" >Sporadically<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#As_Responses\" >As Responses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Follow-up_and_Discussion\" >Follow-up and Discussion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>It's common for us to use \"sometimes\" when discussing the frequency of activities \u2014&nbsp;either because it's accurate or because it's a convenient word for <a href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/about-online-tutoring\/how-to-avoid-answering-sensitive-questions\/#Being_vague\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">being vague<\/a> about how often something happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students may not know, however, of the many other ways to express the same idea. So this article will cover some useful alternatives to help them expand their vocabulary and add a bit more variety to their conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adverbs_of_Frequency\"><\/span><strong>Adverbs of Frequency<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024136\/shutterstock_1194369037-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"A person's hand making check marks next to the adverbs of frequency \" class=\"wp-image-5570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024136\/shutterstock_1194369037-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024136\/shutterstock_1194369037-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024136\/shutterstock_1194369037-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024136\/shutterstock_1194369037-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024136\/shutterstock_1194369037-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we go further, hopefully your students are already familiar with the common adverbs of frequency. If not, they should definitely start here.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be helpful to present these adverbs like a scale, with \"never\" being 0%, and \"always\" at the top, representing 100%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I <strong>never<\/strong> smoke cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>[I do not smoke cigarettes. \/ 0%]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>She <strong>always<\/strong> calls me when she gets home from work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>[She calls every time. \/ 100%]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In between those two are \"rarely\" (~20-30%), \"sometimes\" (~50%) and \"often\" or \"frequently\" ~80%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of its position in the middle of the frequency list, \"sometimes\" is used quite a lot. But students should know that it doesn't always equal exactly 50%; it could be a little more or a little less, depending on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this out of the way, you can move on to presenting alternatives they can use instead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alternatives_for_%E2%80%9CSometimes%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>Alternatives for &#8220;Sometimes&#8221;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_time_to_time\"><\/span><strong>From time to time<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024418\/pexels-bayu-jefri-1387037-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people playing at the beach\" class=\"wp-image-5571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024418\/pexels-bayu-jefri-1387037-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024418\/pexels-bayu-jefri-1387037-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024418\/pexels-bayu-jefri-1387037-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024418\/pexels-bayu-jefri-1387037-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024418\/pexels-bayu-jefri-1387037-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This expression is an informal way to say that something does happen but not very often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We like to visit the beach <strong>from time to time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I cook <strong>from time to time<\/strong>, but I'm not very good at it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Once_in_a_while\"><\/span><strong>Once in a while<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All of the expressions on this list roughly equal \u201csometimes,\u201d but there are still slight differences in nuance for each. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, \u201conce in a while\u201d feels closer to \"rarely\" and expresses a lower frequency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Once in a while<\/strong>, I\u2019ll treat myself to a meal at an expensive restaurant.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>That store has big sales <strong>once in a while<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Occasionally\"><\/span><strong>Occasionally<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This can also be expressed as \u201con occasion,\u201d which sounds a bit more formal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Occasionally<\/strong>, we\u2019ll go on family vacations by car instead of flying.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I go to the movie theater <strong>on occasion<\/strong>, but I prefer to watch movies at home.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Every_now_and_then\"><\/span><strong>Every now and then<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024730\/pexels-kampus-production-7576012-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Two couples toasting with glasses of champange\" class=\"wp-image-5573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024730\/pexels-kampus-production-7576012-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024730\/pexels-kampus-production-7576012-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024730\/pexels-kampus-production-7576012-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024730\/pexels-kampus-production-7576012-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024730\/pexels-kampus-production-7576012-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This alternative expresses a lower frequency than 50%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Every now and then<\/strong> I\u2019ll go to the sauna to relax.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>They don\u2019t live very close, so they only come to visit <strong>every now and then<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This is sometimes changed to \u201cevery now and again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It\u2019s a good idea to back up your important files <strong>every now and again<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Every_so_often\"><\/span><strong>Every so often<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Every so often\" is quite similar to \"every now and then.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Every so often<\/strong> we like to go on a relaxing day trip outside the city.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_the_mood_strikes\"><\/span><strong>When the mood strikes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"701\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024909\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-933255-1024x701.jpg\" alt=\"A woman painting while seated at a table covered in art supplies\" class=\"wp-image-5574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024909\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-933255-1024x701.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024909\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-933255-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/11\/20024909\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-933255-768x526.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Because this is an informal way of saying \u201cwhenever I get the feeling,\" it doesn't really have a place on our frequency scale. Instead, it describes times that cannot be planned or predicted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I like to paint <strong>when the mood strikes<\/strong>, so I always keep some art supplies handy.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sporadically\"><\/span><strong>Sporadically<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/words\/word\/sporadic\/zga0ELstQmCjlQAAAACVJw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sporadic<\/a>\u201d is an adjective meaning \u201chappening infrequently.\u201d So \u201csporadically\u201d is similar to \u201cwhen the mood strikes\u201d \u2014 something happens suddenly or unexpectedly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It rains <strong>sporadically<\/strong> in this area.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"As_Responses\"><\/span><strong>As Responses<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Be sure to mention that all of these expressions can also be used alone as responses to questions about frequency. However, this tends to sound quite informal unless it is followed up with additional information.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/22141845\/avatar_33.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">Do you listen to classical music?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/22141810\/avatar_30.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>Every now and then<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/22141702\/avatar_22.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">How often do you go jogging?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/22141646\/avatar_17.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>From time to time<\/strong>. It depends on the weather that day.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Follow-up_and_Discussion\"><\/span><strong>Follow-up and Discussion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Naturally, a lesson on this topic fits nicely with follow-up questions. Here are a few suggestions to start with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How often do you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>cook?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>play sports?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>go out to eat?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>travel overseas?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>meet with friends?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>go to live concerts?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>review your English notes?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/free-talk-idea-movie-vocabulary-with-quiz-discussion-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">watch a movie<\/a> in a theater?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>try something completely new?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can take these questions in many different directions, but the main idea is to get students comfortable using each of the different ways of expressing frequency \u2014 no matter where on the scale it may rank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Sometimes\" is a quick, easy and effective word for talking about frequency. But that could be exactly why many English learners have not bothered to learn alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Introducing a wider range of expressions will allow them to articulate their thoughts with more variety and individual flair. In addition, it can motivate them to learn even more vocabulary beyond the basic terms they've already mastered long ago.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It's common for us to use \"sometimes\" when discussing the frequency of activities \u2014&nbsp;either because it's accurate or because it's a convenient word for being vague about how often something happens. Students may not know,...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":5569,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[51,69],"tags":[75,57],"class_list":["post-5564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-teaching-conversation","category-vocab-expressions","tag-alternatives","tag-discussion"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Mix it Up: Presenting Alternatives for &quot;Sometimes&quot; | Engoo Tutor&#039;s Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Encourage students to add variety to their conversations by learning fresh ways to express times between &quot;never&quot; and &quot;always.&quot;\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/sometimes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mix it Up: Presenting Alternatives for &quot;Sometimes&quot; 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