some times (sometimes)

Writers often split or join these words incorrectly. The correct choice depends on meaning: frequency, duration, or a vague point in time.

Quick answer

Use sometimes (one word) for 'occasionally'. Use some time (two words) for 'an amount or span of time'. Use sometime (one word) for 'at an unspecified time'.

sometimes = occasionally (adverb): Sometimes I work late.
some time = an amount/span of time (noun phrase): I need some time to finish.
sometime = at an unspecified point (adverb): Let's meet sometime next week.

Core explanation: the three meanings in one page

Sometimes answers "how often." Some time names an amount of time. Sometime points to an unspecified moment.

If you can replace the phrase with "occasionally", use sometimes.
If you can replace it with "an hour" or "a while", use some time.
If "at some point" fits, use sometime.

Test: Original: I need some times to think → Replace with minutes/hours? Yes → I need some time to think.
Test: Original: Some times I take the bus → Replace with occasionally? Yes → Sometimes I take the bus.
Test: Original: Let's meet some time next week → Replace with 'at some point'? Yes → Let's meet sometime next week.

Spacing: why a space can change the part of speech

A space can turn an adverb into a noun phrase, which changes which words and modifiers fit around it. Most uses of "some times" are errors: writers usually mean sometimes or some time.

sometimes (one word) behaves like an adverb and doesn't take articles: Sometimes she skips lunch.
some time (two words) can take articles/quantifiers: some/a/the time, enough time.
'some times' (plural) is correct only when you literally mean 'some specific times'.

Wrong: She some times arrives late.
Right: She sometimes arrives late.
Wrong: I need some times to finish the draft.
Right: I need some time to finish the draft.

Hyphenation: no hyphen for these words

Do not hyphenate sometimes, sometime, or some time. Hyphens belong in compound modifiers (well-known, full-time as an adjective), not in these forms.

Correct: sometimes, sometime, some time.
Incorrect: some-time, some-times.
Use hyphens only for true compound adjectives before nouns, not to join these words.

Wrong: I'll find some-time to call you.
Right: I'll find some time to call you.

Grammar note: sentence patterns and quick syntactic checks

Position and allowed modifiers show the part of speech: adverbs move around verbs; noun phrases accept determiners and quantifiers. Try three swaps-"occasionally", "an hour", "at some point"-to see what fits.

Adverb test: "I sometimes go" or "Sometimes I go"-both show frequency.
Noun test: You can say "a little time", "some time", "enough time" but not "a little sometimes".
Movement test: "Sometime next week" stays together as a time adverbial; "some time next week" would imply an amount within next week.

Usage: Adverb: Sometimes the manager changes plans at the last minute.
Usage: Noun phrase: We need some time to prepare the report.
Usage: Unspecific time: Let's meet sometime next week.

Real usage: work, school, and casual examples (copy-ready)

Grouped wrong/right pairs you can paste into emails, reports, or messages.

Work - Wrong: Some times the build fails after merging.
Right: Sometimes the build fails after merging.
Work - Wrong: We will need some times to validate the new feature.
Right: We will need some time to validate the new feature.
Work - Wrong: Let's schedule the demo some times next month.
Right: Let's schedule the demo sometime next month.
School - Wrong: Some times students submit late without permission.
Right: Sometimes students submit late without permission.
School - Wrong: I need some times to run the experiment properly.
Right: I need some time to run the experiment properly.
School - Wrong: Could we meet some times after class to go over data?
Right: Could we meet sometime after class to go over data?
Casual - Wrong: Some times we binge-watch old movies.
Right: Sometimes we binge-watch old movies.
Casual - Wrong: Do you have some times this week for coffee?
Right: Do you have some time this week for coffee?
Casual - Wrong: Let's catch up some times in May.
Right: Let's catch up sometime in May.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence instead of the phrase in isolation; context usually makes the choice obvious.

Examples gallery: concentrated wrong/right pairs and rewrites

Common sentences with one or more correct rewrites.

Pair 1: Wrong: Some times I feel overwhelmed by deadlines. →
Right: Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by deadlines.
Pair 2: Wrong: I'll need some times to run the tests. →
Right: I'll need some time to run the tests.
Pair 3: Wrong: She some times forgets the password. →
Right: She sometimes forgets the password.
Pair 4: Wrong: Let's meet some times this month. →
Right: Let's meet sometime this month. / Let's meet on some dates this month.
Pair 5: Wrong: We will some times need to pause the deployment. →
Right: Sometimes we need to pause the deployment.
Pair 6: Wrong: I set aside some times for reading each evening. →
Right: I set aside some time for reading each evening.
Rewrite examples: Original: Some times I can't make the meetings. → Rewrites: Sometimes I can't make the meetings. / I can't make some meetings. (if you mean specific meetings)
Rewrite examples: Original: I have some times after 4 p.m. → Rewrites: I have some time after 4 p.m. / I have times available after 4 p.m. (if you mean specific slots)
Rewrite examples: Original: Could we meet some times next week about the project? → Rewrites: Could we meet sometime next week about the project? / Could we meet on some days next week? (if you want multiple meetings)

How to fix your sentence: a short diagnostic checklist

Run these three checks in order; if unclear, read the rewrites aloud.

Q1 - Do I mean 'occasionally' (frequency)? If yes → sometimes. Example: 'Sometimes the server restarts.'
Q2 - Do I mean 'an amount or span of time' (duration)? If yes → some time. Example: 'I need some time to finish.'
Q3 - Do I mean 'at an unspecified point' (vague scheduling)? If yes → sometime. Example: 'Let's meet sometime next week.'

Diagnostic: Original: Some times the app crashes after an hour. → Q1 fits → Sometimes the app crashes after an hour.
Diagnostic: Original: I have some times before the meeting to review notes. → Q2 fits → I have some time before the meeting to review notes.
Diagnostic: Original: Let's talk some times next week. → Q3 fits → Let's talk sometime next week.

Memory tricks and short drills

Tiny checks that catch most errors.

Mnemonic: 'sometimes' = 'some+times squished' → answers "how often?". If you can read it as "occasionally", use sometimes.
If you can measure it in minutes or hours, use some time.
Daily drill: Scan three time-related sentences in your draft; label each as frequency/duration/unspecified and correct accordingly.

Practice: Find "some times" in a document and change it to sometimes, some time, or sometime using the tests above. Most will become sometimes.

Similar spacing mistakes and quick fixes

Other common pairs trip writers; the solution is the same-check meaning and part of speech.

everyday (adjective) vs every day (adverbial): 'everyday tasks' vs 'I exercise every day.'
a lot (two words) - avoid 'alot'.
anymore (dialectal adverb) vs any more (additional quantity): 'I don't go there anymore' vs 'Do you want any more cake?'
no one (two words) vs noone (nonstandard) - use two words.

Wrong: Alot of people arrived late.
Right: A lot of people arrived late.
Wrong: I exercise everyday.
Right: I exercise every day.

FAQ

Is 'sometimes' one word or two?

Sometimes is one word when it means 'occasionally.' Writing it as two words is usually wrong unless you mean 'some specific times' in the plural.

When should I use 'some time' instead of 'sometimes'?

Use some time for an amount or span of time: 'I need some time to prepare.' Use sometimes for occasional actions.

Is 'sometime' the same as 'sometimes'?

No. Sometime means 'at an unspecified time.' Sometimes means 'occasionally.'

Can I ever write 'some times' correctly?

Yes-only when you literally mean 'some specific times': 'Some times during the year are busier than others.' This is uncommon.

What's the fastest way to fix a sentence with 'some times'?

Ask: Do I mean occasionally, an amount of time, or at an unspecified point? Replace with sometimes, some time, or sometime and read it aloud.

Need a quick fix for your sentence?

Paste one sentence into a note and try the three replacements: sometimes / some time / sometime. Choose the one that sounds natural and matches your meaning.