but once with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but once with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear in context.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred only one time in conjunction with something else, but it requires careful context to ensure clarity. Example: "He had visited the museum many times, but once with his family, he truly appreciated the exhibits."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Ms. Jaffe and Charles Askegard, now with New York City Ballet but once with Ballet Theater, led off with the wedding pas de deux from "The Sleeping Beauty".

The New York Times - Arts

The Iraqi government's ability to defend anything is so inoperative that the group's members visited the country but once, with just one (Chuck Robb) daring to leave the Green Zone.

The New York Times

Most encouragingly the 25-year-old has often come good this season with the match in the balance, usually with the ball but once with the bat as a doughty No10 to enable an unlikely one-wicket victory against Surrey.

The Guardian - Sport

Since 2007, the Honda has been decided by two strokes or fewer all but once, with the past two going to playoffs.

Los Angeles Times

He has won each of his last five starts, lasting at least six innings all but once, with two walks and 41 strikeouts in that span.

Los Angeles Times

Since the ACC switched to Division format in 2005, the winner of this game has gone on to win the Coastal Division all but once, with VT winning seven times and GT winning three times.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For most of his life he used the honorific "the reverend," a term now associated with Christian ministers but once popular with members of the Jewish clergy.

The New York Times - Arts

No. E860 was fitted with a longer, heavier boiler but once again with little improvement.

Wikipedia

But once engaged with the enemy, the soldiers fought dismounted.

The New York Times

You pay a fee to get one but, once loaded with cash, they offer considerable security.

The Guardian - Travel

But once there, with the music loud and the drink flowing, so also flowed the tales.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but once with", ensure that the contrast implied by "but" is clear and logical within the sentence. This helps to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "but once with" when "only once with" is more appropriate. The "but" implies a contrast that should be genuinely present, not merely a statement of singularity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but once with" functions as a conjunctional phrase, connecting two parts of a sentence to indicate a single instance of an action or state occurring in conjunction with another, while also implying a contrast. Ludwig AI shows examples where this phrase is used to specify a unique occurrence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but once with" serves as a conjunctional element used to emphasize a single occurrence of something while implying a contrast or exception. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that careful consideration should be given to the context to ensure the implied contrast is clear; otherwise, alternatives like "only once with" may be more appropriate. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as wiki contexts, and carries a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's important to verify that the contrast being drawn is both logical and intentional to maintain clarity and avoid potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only once with

Emphasizes the singularity of the event more directly using 'only'.

just once with

Replaces 'but' with 'just' for a slightly different emphasis on the single occurrence.

a single time with

Uses 'a single time' for a more formal and explicit expression of the single occurrence.

one time with

A simpler and more direct way to state the occurrence happened one time.

on one occasion with

More formal alternative, highlighting a specific occasion.

once, accompanied by

Replaces 'with' to focus on accompaniment rather than direct interaction.

but a single instance with

Highlights the rarity of the occurrence.

yet one time with

Uses 'yet' to imply a contrast or exception.

solely one time with

More emphatic version, underscoring exclusivity.

in only one instance with

Formal and precise way to express a single occurrence.

FAQs

What does "but once with" mean?

The phrase "but once with" indicates that something happened only a single time in conjunction with something else, often implying a contrast to other potential scenarios or expectations.

What are some alternatives to "but once with"?

You can use alternatives like "only once with", "just once with", or "a single time with" depending on the context.

Is "but once with" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "but once with" can sometimes sound awkward. Ensure the "but" is logically contrasting something; otherwise, "only once with" may be clearer.

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

Example: "He had visited the museum many times, but once with his family, he truly appreciated the exhibits." Here, the contrast is between visiting alone and visiting with family.