come up once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come up once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs or is mentioned a single time. Example: "The issue only came up once during the entire meeting, so we didn't spend much time discussing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

This year, "it hasn't come up once".

The New York Times

"Big Brother has not come up once.

The Guardian

As any poker player knows, those 8 percent chances do come up once in a while.

The New York Times

It was in Thirsk and Gary would come up once every six weeks for a one-on-one session.

The Guardian - Sport

Record companies are willing to roll the dice a hundred times to have a Britney Spears come up once.

The New Yorker

Viewers of Monday night's debate could expect China's alleged currency manipulation to come up once more, as it is a stalwart of Mr. Romney's stump speech.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

"It came up once when we were talking outside 6B or in the makeup room.

The New York Times

I'm up here every two weeks; the family comes up once a month together.

The New York Times - Travel

His name only came up once or twice the entire evening.

The New Yorker

The strain of self-deprecation in her character comes up once more when she talks about this.

The Guardian - Books

Soriano came up once, as a pinch-hitter with a runner on and two outs in the eighth inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come up once", ensure the context clearly indicates that the event or topic is singular and not recurring. This helps maintain clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "come up once" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language to prevent redundancy and maintain reader engagement. Consider using synonyms like "arise once" or restructuring your sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come up once" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating that something has occurred or been mentioned a single time. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is usable in written English and provides examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come up once" is a phrasal verb used to indicate that something has occurred or been mentioned a single time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is generally neutral in register and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase is grammatically correct and contextually clear. Alternative phrasings include "happen once" or "arise once". It's important to use the phrase judiciously to avoid redundancy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happen once

Focuses on the occurrence of an event one time only.

occur one time

Emphasizes the single instance of something taking place.

arise once

Highlights the emergence or presentation of a topic or issue on a single occasion.

surface one time

Suggests that something becomes apparent or is brought to attention a single time.

be mentioned once

Specifically refers to a single instance of something being spoken or written about.

be raised one time

Indicates that a subject or point is brought up for discussion only once.

transpire once

Highlights the occurrence of an event one time only, often in a formal context.

only happen once

Emphasizes the uniqueness and non-repetition of an event.

take place one time

Focuses on the event happening a single time.

only occur once

Emphasizes the singular nature of an event's occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "come up once" in a sentence?

You can use "come up once" to indicate something was mentioned or occurred a single time. For example: "The issue only "came up once" during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "come up once"?

Alternatives include "happen once", "arise once", or "be mentioned once" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "come up one time" instead of "come up once"?

While "come up one time" is grammatically understandable, "come up once" is more concise and commonly used in written English. Using "come up once" tends to sound more natural in most contexts.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "come up once"?

"Come up once" is suitable when you want to emphasize that something happened or was discussed on only one occasion. It's often used to highlight the rarity or infrequency of the event or topic.