also once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "also once" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something happened at an additional time in the past, but it is not commonly used. Example: "I visited that museum also once during my trip to the city."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He also once called him "talented, undoubtedly".

The Guardian

She also once hung up on me.

The New York Times - Magazine

He also once ran for mayor of Salford.

Independent

(Mr. Krieger also once worked for Mr. LaBute's production company).

The New York Times

School was also once the enemy of tribal languages.

The New York Times

America's car makers also once thought they owned a business.

The Economist

She also once worked for the State Senate majority leader.

The New York Times

She also once likened her work to a butterfly collection.

The New York Times - Arts

He had also once done Staten Island, top to bottom.

The New Yorker

Polke also once said, "We don't need artists.

The Guardian

He was also once the chaplain at Yale University.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "also once" isn't strictly incorrect, consider whether "also" is necessary. Often, the context already implies that something happened at a prior time, making "once" sufficient. For example, instead of "He also once lived in London", try "He once lived in London" if it's already clear you're discussing past events.

Common error

Avoid using "also once" repeatedly within a short span of text. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less sophisticated. If you need to list multiple past occurrences, try varying your phrasing or using simpler constructions like "previously" or "before".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "also once" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating that something happened at a prior time in addition to something else. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase adds information about when an action or event occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "also once" functions as an adverbial modifier used to indicate a past occurrence in addition to something else. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it can sometimes be redundant and less elegant than alternative phrasings. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using "also once", consider whether the "also" is truly necessary and avoid overusing it to maintain clarity and conciseness in your writing. Simple alternatives like "previously" or "formerly" can often be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as well once

Changes the order of the words and substitutes "also" with "as well" for a slightly different emphasis.

in addition once

Replaces "also" with "in addition", offering a more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

also at one point

Replaces "once" with "at one point" maintaining the indication of a specific time in the past.

similarly at one time

Substitutes "also" with "similarly" and "once" with "at one time" introducing an element of comparison.

likewise previously

Uses "likewise" to replace "also" and "previously" for "once" indicating a similarity in past events.

furthermore in the past

Employs "furthermore" and "in the past" to convey the idea of an additional past occurrence.

moreover on one occasion

Replaces "also" with "moreover" and "once" with "on one occasion" for a more formal and descriptive tone.

additionally on a single occasion

Uses "additionally" and "on a single occasion" to emphasize the singular nature of the additional event.

again at a prior time

Uses "again" to indicate recurrence and "at a prior time" instead of "once".

too formerly

Replaces "also" with "too" and "once" with "formerly", presenting a concise alternative.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "also once" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "as well once", "in addition once", or "previously" depending on the specific context. Removing "also" is also a valid option if the "once" already indicates a past event.

Is there a difference between "also once" and "also one time"?

While both phrases indicate a past occurrence, "also once" is slightly more concise. "Also one time" can sound less formal and might be more suitable for casual conversation. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing between the two.

When is it appropriate to use "also once"?

"Also once" is acceptable when you want to emphasize that something happened in the past in addition to something else. However, it's important to ensure that the "also" is truly necessary and doesn't create redundancy. If removing "also" doesn't change the meaning, it's often better to omit it.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "also once"?

Avoid using "also once" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your text sound repetitive. Be mindful of whether the "also" is truly needed, and consider using simpler alternatives like "previously", "formerly", or simply "once" if the context is already clear.