sometime, some time

sometime, some time
   Most often it is one word: "They will arrive sometime tomorrow." But when some is used as an adjective equivalent to a short or a long or an indefinite, it should be two words: "The announcement was made some time ago." Three considerations may help you to make the distinction.
   1. Some time as two words is usually preceded by a preposition ("for some time," "at some time") or followed by a helping word ("some time ago").
   2. Some time can always be replaced with an equivalent expression ("a short time ago," "a long time ago," etc.); sometime cannot.
   3. When speaking, a person places greater stress on time when some time is two words.

Dictionary of troublesome word. . 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • sometime, some time —    Most often it is one word: They will arrive sometime tomorrow. But when some is used as an adjective equivalent to a short or a long or an indefinite, it should be two words: The announcement was made some time ago. Three considerations may… …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • some time — sometime, some time 1. Sometime, spelt as one word, is an indefinite adverb with two main meanings: (1) ‘former’, as in their friend and sometime partner, and (2) ‘at some time in the future’, as in I ll tell you about it sometime. When some and… …   Modern English usage

  • some time / sometime vs sometimes —   Some time means a period of time.   For example:    It took Lynne some time to spot Hekner s post.   Sometime indicates a time in the future or the past which is not known or not stated.   For example:    They hoped to meet up sometime.   Not… …   English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words

  • some time / sometime vs sometimes —   Some time means a period of time.   For example:    It took Lynne some time to spot Hekner s post.   Sometime indicates a time in the future or the past which is not known or not stated.   For example:    They hoped to meet up sometime.   Not… …   English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words

  • some time / sometime vs sometimes —   Some time means a period of time.   For example:    It took Lynne some time to spot Hekner s post.   Sometime indicates a time in the future or the past which is not known or not stated.   For example:    They hoped to meet up sometime.   Not… …   English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words

  • some time / sometime / sometimes —    Some time refers to a considerable period of time: I need some time to think about it.    Sometime refers to an indistinct or unstated time in the future: I ll see you around sometime.    Sometimes is an adverb meaning continually, off and on …   Confused words

  • some time / sometime / sometimes —    Some time refers to a considerable period of time: I need some time to think about it.    Sometime refers to an indistinct or unstated time in the future: I ll see you around sometime.    Sometimes is an adverb meaning continually, off and on …   Confused words

  • some time / sometime / sometimes —    Some time refers to a considerable period of time: I need some time to think about it.    Sometime refers to an indistinct or unstated time in the future: I ll see you around sometime.    Sometimes is an adverb meaning continually, off and on …   Confused words

  • some|time — «SUHM tym», adverb, adjective. –adv. 1. at one time or another: »Come to see us sometime. 2. at an indefinite time: »It came sometime in March. 3. chaic. sometimes. 4. Archaic. formerly. –adj. 1. former: »Alice Brown, a sometime pupil of our… …   Useful english dictionary

  • some time, sometime, sometimes — When some is used as an adjective and time as a noun, the expression is written as two words meaning an indefinite time : She and I met some time (not sometime) that year. As an adverb, sometime means at a point in time : I went to the store… …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”