at one time was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at one time was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something existed or was true in the past but is no longer the case. Example: "The building at one time was a bustling marketplace before it was converted into apartments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since 1247 Romford has been the site of an enormous street market on High Street (formerly the Colchester highway), which at one time was lined by coaching inns.

Britannica

Dealing with so many conditions and symptoms at one time was frustrating, but I had to press on.

Huffington Post

Mr. Ruiz Massieu, who at one time was married to Mr. Salinas's sister, was shot on a Mexico City street.

The New York Times

He had money, on account of the wealth of his father, William James Sr, an industrialist who at one time was the second richest man in America.

The Guardian - Opinion

New Haven at one time was arguably the leading manufacturing city for horse drawn carriages.

Yale University

Whaling, at one time, was the fifth industry in importance in the United States.

University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Berliner at one time was one of America's strongest chess players.

The New York Times

Rolls at one time was predicting sales of 600 or 700 engines.

The New York Times

"Harney County at one time was the wealthiest county in the state," Bundy said.

The Guardian

These included Rebecca Mark, who at one time was considered a rival for the top job.

The New York Times

But it reversed and at one time was down 8 points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at one time was" to clearly indicate a past state that is no longer true, providing context to explain the change. This helps avoid confusion and adds depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at one time was" in simple sentences where 'used to be' or 'once was' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at one time was" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a past state or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound way to denote something that existed in the past but no longer does.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at one time was" serves as a clear indicator of a past state that has since changed. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting into various contexts from news reports to academic discussions. While "used to be" or "once was" offer more concise alternatives, "at one time was" provides a slightly more formal tone, useful for adding emphasis or historical perspective. Be mindful of potential verbosity and consider the most appropriate wording for your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to be

Replaces "at one time was" with a more concise and common expression.

once was

Simplifies the phrasing while retaining the original meaning.

formerly was

Introduces a slightly more formal tone.

had been

Shifts the focus to a completed action or state in the past.

in the past was

Emphasizes the temporal aspect more explicitly.

previously was

Similar to 'formerly', but slightly less formal.

back then was

Adds a colloquial feel to the expression.

in earlier days was

More descriptive and less direct than the original.

at a prior time was

A more elaborate and formal alternative.

it once happened to be

Adds a narrative element, emphasizing a past occurrence.

FAQs

What does "at one time was" mean?

The phrase "at one time was" indicates that something existed or was true in the past but is no longer the case in the present. It's used to describe a previous state or condition that has changed.

How can I use "at one time was" in a sentence?

Use "at one time was" to highlight a change over time. For example: "The building "at one time was" a bustling marketplace before it was converted into apartments."

What can I say instead of "at one time was"?

You can use alternatives like "used to be", "once was", or "formerly was" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "at one time was" and "used to be"?

While both phrases indicate a past state, "used to be" is generally more concise and common. "At one time was" can add emphasis or formality, but it's often interchangeable with "used to be".