but not once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something has never happened at any point in time. Example: "I asked him to help me with the project, but not once did he offer any assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not once by Ms. Chan.

The New York Times - Style

But not once have I ever felt lonely.

The New York Times

But not once has he flown on British Airways.

The New York Times

But not once did the trainer lose faith.

The Guardian - Sport

But not once did he broach the subject.

The New York Times

But not once did it occur to me that my character would be labeled as well.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, the face matters, but not, once you have that move it to the work.

Harvard Business Review

But not once under the British Raj was this salt tax relaxed, not even during famines.

The Guardian

He was an expert in Old Norse, but not once did he visit Scandinavia.

The New Yorker

We have continued to ring, but not once has anyone answered the phone".

The Guardian

Of course, relegation was bad but not once have I thought about leaving.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but not once", ensure the context clearly establishes what was expected or typical, making the lack of occurrence significant.

Common error

Avoid using "but not once" in overly simple sentences where a direct "never" or "didn't" would suffice. This can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted. Instead of "He tried, but not once succeeded", consider "He tried, but never succeeded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not once" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It introduces a contrast, emphasizing the absence of an action or event despite an expectation or possibility. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to highlight this absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not once" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for emphasizing the absence of an event, as validated by Ludwig. It functions adverbially, adding a layer of contrast by highlighting that something never occurred, often against expectation. Predominantly found in news, sports, and lifestyle contexts, it is considered to have a neutral formality. While alternatives such as "not even once" exist, this phrase offers a distinct emphasis on the complete absence of an action. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides numerous examples illustrating its appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not even once

Uses "even" to underscore that something did not happen on a single occasion.

but never

Directly states that something has not happened at any point.

still never

Emphasizes the continuing absence of something.

though never

Highlights a contrast where something is expected but hasn't occurred.

although never

Indicates something has not occurred despite expectation or possibility.

on no occasion

Formally states that something did not occur at any time.

yet never

Emphasizes the unexpected absence of something despite a period of time passing.

however never

Contrasts a previous statement by emphasizing the absence of an event.

yet not ever

Stresses that something has failed to materialize up to now.

nevertheless never

Despite something that happened previously, it never occurred the action/thing

FAQs

What does "but not once" mean?

The phrase "but not once" is used to emphasize that something has never happened. It highlights the absence of an event or action, often in contrast to what might be expected. For instance, "I asked for help, but not once did I receive any assistance" means that despite asking, help was never provided.

What are some alternatives to "but not once"?

You can use alternatives like "not even once", "never once", or "not a single time" to convey a similar meaning, emphasizing that something has never occurred.

Is it correct to say "but never" instead of "but not once"?

Yes, "but never" can often be used instead of "but not once", depending on the context. While "but not once" emphasizes the lack of occurrence on any single occasion, "but never" broadly states that something has not happened at any time. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I effectively use "but not once" in my writing?

Use "but not once" to draw attention to a surprising or significant absence. It's particularly effective when contrasting an expectation with the reality that something never happened. Ensure the context makes it clear what the expectation was, amplifying the impact of the phrase.