I once mentioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I once mentioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something you have previously stated or brought up in conversation or writing. Example: "I once mentioned that I would be traveling to Europe this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I once mentioned my secret yearning to a woman at a party.

The New York Times

"I once mentioned this in an NPR interview and I got flooded by e-mails from short people," Eagleman said.

The New Yorker

"I once mentioned this in an NPR interview, and I got flooded by e-mails from short people," Eagleman told the New Yorker in April.

The New York Times - Books

When I asked Old Yang about the confusion, he shrugged and said that I once mentioned that my grandmother is Italian.

The New Yorker

Boris won't tell me why he stuck me with the job, but I think it's because I once mentioned that when I was growing up we used to keep goldfish, and because Boris doesn't like me very much.

The Guardian - Books

"I think I once mentioned to Nick that it would be nice to have one egg white option on the menu, and he responded by coming up with something that is so incredibly delicious, you forget you're actually eating something so healthy," Mr. Meyer said.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It might surprise people but I never once mentioned the word relegation to the Burnley players last season because I genuinely believed that they were good enough to stay up.

The Guardian - Sport

When I praised the audacity of a movie to feature a black king and cast, I never once mentioned that Stan Lee was a cocreator of Black Panther.

Vice

When I praised the audacity of a movie to feature a black king and cast, I never once mentioned that Stan Lee was a co-creator of Black Panther.

Vice

He said: "I never once mentioned the word lesbian, and having a tongue-in-cheek joke was not at her expense.

Independent

"I never once mentioned any one particular organization," he is quoted as saying.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I once mentioned" to refer to something you've stated in the past, especially when it's relevant to the current conversation or writing. This helps provide context and avoids repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "I once mentioned" multiple times within a short piece of writing or conversation. It can sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using phrases like "as I said earlier" or "previously stated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I once mentioned" serves as an introductory device to reference a previous statement or topic. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It functions to connect past discourse with the present context, providing background information or reinforcing a point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I once mentioned" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for referring to a previous statement. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. Although versatile, as evidenced by its presence in various sources, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it's suitable for many writing and speaking scenarios. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "previously stated" or "as I mentioned earlier".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I recall mentioning previously

Replaces "once" with "previously" and uses "recall mentioning" for a more formal tone.

As I mentioned before

Uses a more direct and concise way to indicate a prior statement.

I had mentioned earlier

Emphasizes that the mentioning occurred at an earlier point in time.

I believe I mentioned

Adds a degree of uncertainty or recollection.

I brought up previously

Replaces "mentioned" with "brought up", indicating the introduction of a topic.

If I recall correctly, I mentioned

Introduces more uncertainty and relies on memory.

I stated before

Uses "stated" instead of "mentioned", suggesting a more formal declaration.

I alluded to earlier

Indicates an indirect reference made previously.

I referenced in the past

Highlights that the mention occurred sometime in the past.

I touched on before

Indicates that the topic was only briefly mentioned previously.

FAQs

What does "I once mentioned" mean?

The phrase "I once mentioned" means that you previously spoke about something, perhaps in a conversation or in writing. It's a way to refer back to a prior statement.

How can I use "I once mentioned" in a sentence?

You can use "I once mentioned" to refer back to something you previously stated. For example, "I once mentioned that I enjoy hiking, which is why I'm excited about our trip to the mountains."

What can I say instead of "I once mentioned"?

You can use alternatives like "as I mentioned before", "I previously stated", or "I recall mentioning", depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "I once mentioned" in formal writing?

While "I once mentioned" is grammatically correct, it might sound less formal. In formal writing, consider using phrases such as "previously stated" or "as I have noted" for a more professional tone.