sometimes English · revision 2517

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=14th century}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsʌm.taɪmz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[some]] and [[time]] with the adverbial ending [[-s]],^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) later taken as the plural ending.^(SOED 2002) Etymonline treats it as [[sometime]] with the adverbial genitive ''-s''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ On some occasions: 14th century according to Merriam-Webster,^(MW Collegiate) late Middle English according to the Shorter Oxford,^(SOED 2002) and the 1520s according to Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “now and then” is recorded from 1526.^(HTOED) From the 1560s to the late 18th century ''sometimes'' could also mean “formerly, once”,^(HTOED)^(AHD) and as an adjective, “former”, it is found from 1593.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 14th century – ''sometimes''.^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1526 – now and then.^(HTOED)

+ * 1563–1798 – formerly.^(HTOED)

+ * 1593 – adjective, former.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # At times; now and then; [[occasionally]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(archaic)'' At some earlier time; formerly.^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sometime]]

+ * [[some]]

+ * [[time]]

+ * [[often]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}