but once when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but once when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a specific instance or occasion in which something occurred, often contrasting it with other times. Example: "I usually avoid crowded places, but once when I was in New York, I decided to visit Times Square."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But once, when I intervened, he was apparently hours from death.

Independent

But once, when her phone was stolen in Honduras, Isaac didn't hear from her for days.

The Washington Post

But once, when it was first done, they did spend the night, "just to see how it worked".

The New York Times

But once, when a driver pressed me particularly jovially for an opinion, I said something like "I think all women should be respected.

The New Yorker

But once, when no one was looking, I stuffed it into my backpack with a lot of sharp pens, and it got stabbed.

The New Yorker

But once, when Parcells feared the Giants were about to dump him as head coach after his rookie 1983 season, he called Henning for advice.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Out of nowhere, naturalism intrudes, but only once, when a couple begin to bicker.

The New York Times - Arts

Dylan cried for a few minutes when we left the park, but not once when he fell.

The New York Times - Magazine

But for once, when people on both sides are hugging their loved ones, let us be guided by our hopes, and not only by our fears.

The New York Times

But only once, when Tomasz Adamek, the former light‑heavyweight and cruiserweight world champion, entered the ring to loud patriotic cries of "Polska!' Polska!" did the atmosphere become supercharged.

The Guardian - Sport

But then once, when the book was near completion, I was on my father's evangelical campus and the barista told me how her husband had recovered from a paralyzing illness.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but once when" to introduce an exception to a general pattern or behavior, creating a contrast that highlights a specific instance.

Common error

Avoid starting too many consecutive sentences with "but". Instead, vary your sentence structure by using alternatives such as 'however', 'yet', or 'although' to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

"But once when" functions as a conjunctive phrase that introduces a specific instance that contrasts with a general trend or prior statement. It connects two clauses, highlighting an exception to a rule or expected behavior. As Ludwig AI notes, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but once when" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to introduce a specific instance that contrasts with a general pattern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for use in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, be mindful to create a clear contrast and to avoid overuse of consecutive sentences starting with "but". Consider alternative phrases like "yet on one occasion when" or "however just once when" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet on one occasion when

Replaces 'but' with 'yet' and 'once' with 'one occasion' to provide a slightly more formal tone.

however just once when

Substitutes 'but' with 'however' and 'once' with 'just once', emphasizing the singular nature of the event.

though only once when

Replaces 'but' with 'though' and adds 'only' to stress the infrequency of the occurrence.

although on one occasion when

Uses 'although' instead of 'but' and expands 'once' to 'on one occasion' for a more elaborate phrasing.

still only once when

Employs 'still' in place of 'but' and includes 'only' to highlight the uniqueness of the event.

even so only once when

Utilizes 'even so' as a substitute for 'but' and adds 'only' to underscore the single instance.

nonetheless just once when

Replaces 'but' with 'nonetheless' and 'once' with 'just once', resulting in a more formal and emphatic tone.

despite that only once when

Substitutes 'but' with 'despite that' and incorporates 'only' to emphasize the exceptional nature of the event.

nevertheless on one occasion when

Uses 'nevertheless' instead of 'but' and expands 'once' to 'on one occasion' for a more formal and detailed phrasing.

yet just once when

Swaps 'but' for 'yet' and 'once' with 'just once', maintaining a similar meaning with a slight variation in emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "but once when" in a sentence?

The phrase "but once when" introduces a specific instance that contrasts with a general trend or previous statement. For example: "He rarely eats sweets, but once when he was on vacation, he indulged in a large dessert."

What phrases are similar to "but once when"?

Alternatives include "yet on one occasion when", "however just once when", or "though only once when". These phrases offer similar contrasting transitions while adding slight nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but once when"?

While it's generally acceptable to start a sentence with "but", overuse can weaken your writing. Starting with "but once when" is grammatically sound, particularly when emphasizing an exception. Vary your sentence structure for better flow.

What is the difference between "but once when" and "only once when"?

"But once when" introduces a contrast, whereas "only once when" simply emphasizes the infrequency of an event. "He usually declines invitations, but once when it was a close friend's party, he attended". This highlights a change in behavior. In contrast, "He only went to that restaurant once when it first opened" focuses on the singularity.