Sometime means at some point: let's meet sometime next week. Some time means a period, a while: it took some time, I need some time. Sometimes means now and then: I sometimes walk to work. A test for some time: if you can add extra, as in some extra time, you need the space.
sometime, some time or sometimes — can you pick the right one?
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sometime next week; spend/take some time; sometimes do something
- The parcel should arrive sometime next week.
- We spent some time comparing the two maps.
- I sometimes take the longer route because it is quieter.
What changed
First versionIt took sometime to find the correct entrance.
RevisionIt took some time to find the correct entrance.
Sometime looks like one familiar word, so the space gets lost. But took asks how long something lasted, and a length of time is some time, two words. It took some extra time works, so the space is needed.
I'll call you sometime means at some point. I sometimes call after dinner means now and then. I need some time means a while. Compare: Can we talk sometime? means let's talk one day; Can we talk for some time? means can we talk for a while?
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It will take ___ to check all the names.
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some time — Take asks how long something will last, so it's some time as two words. Sometime is a moment, sometimes is how often.
Write how long it took you to get through something new: a move, a renovation, a new skill. Use took some time.
It took some time to match the handwritten labels with the items in the catalogue.
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