about at once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about at once" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be interpreted as indicating a sense of immediacy or urgency, but it is not commonly used in this form. Example: "We need to address this issue about at once to avoid further complications."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I pad about, at once a creeping connoisseur of the things these rooms contain and a prying snoop.

The Guardian - Arts

There's only so much you can worry about at once, and we've already got Egypt, the weird weather, rising food prices and unemployment.

The New York Times

At birth the young may be well-developed and able to move about at once (precocial), or they may be blind, hairless, and essentially helpless (altricial).

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are so many things to think about at once: the position of the feet, the torque of the turns, the composure of the upper body, the shifting gaze, the placement of the arms.

The New Yorker

There was also a policeman who claimed to have caught ME from his computer, but there is a limit to how many things you can worry about at once.

The Guardian

(I've seen it happen, trust me). There are so many things to think about at once: the position of the feet, the torque of the turns, the composure of the upper body, the shifting gaze, the placement of the arms.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

David Remnick wrote about Howard Cosell — "at once an impresario, a circus barker, an analyst, and a serious journalist" — and this week, Kelefa Sanneh writes about spending time with Jon Gruden.

The New Yorker

David Remnick wrote about Howard Cosell—"at once an impresario, a circus barker, an analyst, and a serious journalist"—and this week, Kelefa Sanneh writes about spending time with Jon Gruden.

The New Yorker

But he wears his erudition lightly: his account of how the act came about is at once a thorough study and a breezy read.

The Economist

Tracer does this by assuming that an event has occurred if several people start talking about it at once.

MIT Technology Review

And when they do, there is a coordination problem: people won't all change their views about homeownership at once.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about at once", consider if more direct alternatives like "immediately" or "simultaneously" provide greater clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "about at once" in highly formal or academic writing; it can sound less precise than alternatives like "concurrently" or "instantaneously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about at once" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timing or manner of the action. Ludwig provides examples where it describes actions needing immediate attention or simultaneous occurrence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

16%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

26%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about at once" is an adverbial phrase used to convey immediacy or simultaneity. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests it's not the most precise choice, especially in formal contexts. Alternatives like "immediately", "simultaneously", or "right away" often provide greater clarity. Predominantly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and Wiki sources, "about at once" leans towards a neutral to informal register. Therefore, carefully consider the context and choose the most effective expression to communicate your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately

Focuses on the lack of delay; more direct and common.

right away

Emphasizes immediacy; a more informal alternative.

simultaneously

Highlights the occurrence of multiple things at the same time.

at the same time

Indicates things happening concurrently.

instantly

Emphasizes the very short time frame involved.

without delay

Formally stresses the absence of any waiting period.

forthwith

A more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for immediately.

on the spot

Highlights that something is done or decided immediately.

in short order

Suggests speed and efficiency in completing something.

in one fell swoop

Implies that everything is done at once in a single action.

FAQs

What does "about at once" mean?

The phrase "about at once" suggests that something should be done or considered immediately or simultaneously with something else. It implies a sense of urgency or that multiple things are happening together.

How can I use "about at once" in a sentence?

You might use "about at once" to describe needing to address an issue without delay or to indicate that multiple actions occur together. For example, "We need to deal with this problem about at once to prevent further complications."

What can I say instead of "about at once"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately", "simultaneously", or "right away", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "about at once" grammatically correct?

While not ungrammatical, "about at once" is less common and may sound less precise than other options. It's generally better to use more direct and widely accepted alternatives for clarity and impact.