sometime in + period
Talking about an unspecified time within a period
Use sometime in with months, years, or parts of the day.
They moved here sometime in 2022.
sometime in, between, before, after or during?
Sometime usually means at an unspecified time. It commonly appears with time expressions introduced by in, before, after, or during.
Quick answer
Using sometime with time phrases
Sometime can be followed by time expressions such as in July, before noon, after dinner, or during the week. Between normally needs a range, such as sometime between Monday and Wednesday.
We will meet sometime in August.
Call me sometime after lunch.
The package should arrive sometime between Tuesday and Thursday.
Call me sometime after lunch.
The package should arrive sometime between Tuesday and Thursday.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
sometime before + event/time
Talking about an unspecified earlier time
Sometime before means at an unknown point earlier than another time.
Finish the report sometime before Friday.
sometime after + event/time
Talking about an unspecified later time
Sometime after means at an unknown point later than another event.
We can talk sometime after the meeting.
sometime during + period
Talking about an unspecified moment within an event or period
During emphasises that the time falls inside a period or activity.
I fell asleep sometime during the film.
sometime between + two times
Talking about an unspecified point in a range
Between requires two limits or points in time.
The call came sometime between midnight and one o'clock.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
sometime in
Let's meet sometime in May.
at an unspecified point within a period
sometime between
The train arrives sometime between six and seven.
at an unspecified point within a range
sometime before
I saw her sometime before lunch.
at an unspecified earlier time
sometime after
We spoke sometime after the ceremony.
at an unspecified later time
sometime during
He called sometime during the night.
at an unspecified point inside a period
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using between without two limits
Between normally needs two time points.
✕ We met sometime between Monday. ✓ We met sometime between Monday and Wednesday.Confusing sometime and sometimes
Sometime refers to an unspecified time; sometimes means occasionally.
✕ I sometime go there on weekends. ✓ I sometimes go there on weekends.Using sometime as two words incorrectly
Some time means a period of time, not an unspecified moment.
✕ Let's meet some time in June. ✓ Let's meet sometime in June.Using during with a point in time
During works with periods or events, not exact moments.
✕ He arrived sometime during 6 p.m. ✓ He arrived sometime after 6 p.m.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. We should travel ___ September.
2. The email arrived ___ midnight and dawn.
3. Call me ___ dinner.
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Frequently asked questions
What does sometime mean?
It means at an unspecified time.
Can sometime be used with between?
Yes, but between normally requires two time points or limits.
What is the difference between sometime and sometimes?
Sometime means at an unknown time, while sometimes means occasionally.
Related preposition guides
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