Found 14 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Frequency (neutral)
Nuance: Sometimes
A bit more formal than sometimes.
Boring
Sometimes, I reread the directions before a test so I do not miss an important detail.
Better
At times, I reread the directions before a test so I do not miss an important detail.
Frequency (neutral)
Nuance: Occasional
Common and clear.
Boring
Sometimes, I watch a short review video before class so I can follow the lesson.
Better
From time to time, I watch a short review video before class so I can follow the lesson.
Frequency (casual)
Nuance: Every so often
Friendly and common.
Boring
Sometimes, my headphones cut out in the middle of a song and I have to reconnect them.
Better
Now and then, my headphones cut out in the middle of a song and I have to reconnect them.
Frequency (not often)
Nuance: Happens now and then
Common and natural.
Boring
Sometimes, we eat outside when the weather is nice, even if it is a little windy.
Better
Occasionally, we eat outside when the weather is nice, even if it is a little windy.
Frequency (casual)
Nuance: Not often
Very common in speech.
Boring
Sometimes, I forget my charger at home and have to borrow one from a friend.
Better
Once in a while, I forget my charger at home and have to borrow one from a friend.
Frequency (neutral)
Nuance: Occasional
Common phrase; good for writing.
Boring
Sometimes, the teacher gives us a surprise warm-up problem to get us thinking.
Better
Every so often, the teacher gives us a surprise warm-up problem to get us thinking.
Frequency (casual)
Nuance: Scattered
More casual; use in narratives.
Boring
Sometimes, I find old notes in different pockets of my backpack when I clean it out.
Better
Here and there, I find old notes in different pockets of my backpack when I clean it out.
Frequency (formal-ish)
Nuance: Occasional
Slightly formal; good for essays.
Boring
Sometimes, we meet after school to plan the project and divide up the research tasks.
Better
On occasion, we meet after school to plan the project and divide up the research tasks.
Frequency (regular intervals)
Nuance: Regular intervals
Suggests it happens at regular times.
Boring
Sometimes, the fire alarm is tested during second period, and we have to pause our work.
Better
Periodically, the fire alarm is tested during second period, and we have to pause our work.
Frequency (very exact)
Nuance: Irregular timing
Very precise and formal.
Boring
Sometimes, the bus arrives late because of traffic, which makes the wait unpredictable.
Better
At irregular intervals, the bus arrives late because of traffic, which makes the wait unpredictable.
Frequency (casual)
Nuance: Occasional
A bit more literary than now and then.
Boring
Sometimes, I hear that song on the radio during my ride home, and it brings back memories.
Better
Every now and again, I hear that song on the radio during my ride home, and it brings back memories.
Frequency (on and off)
Nuance: Not steady
Formal; means on and off.
Boring
Sometimes, the Wi-Fi drops during online quizzes, and the page has to reload.
Better
Intermittently, the Wi-Fi drops during online quizzes, and the page has to reload.
Frequency (casual)
Nuance: Stops and starts
Casual; means not continuously.
Boring
Sometimes, we checked the scoreboard during the game, especially when the score stayed close.
Better
On and off, we checked the scoreboard during the game, especially when the score stayed close.
Frequency (irregular)
Nuance: Irregular
Means irregularly; not predictable.
Boring
Sometimes, the printer jams with no warning, even when the paper tray looks fine.
Better
Sporadically, the printer jams with no warning, even when the paper tray looks fine.