done so once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "done so once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action has been completed one time in the past. Example: "I have done so once before, and I believe it will work again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Having done so once, he cannot do so again.

The Economist

His wife is thought to have done so, "once or twice".

The Guardian

Many other borrowers who are refinancing, he said, have probably done so once before in the last decade.

The New York Times

Stead is still to score and Gray, who began on the bench here, has done so once.

The Guardian - Sport

Arsenal have the chance to do a rare double over Liverpool, in the past eight seasons, they have only done so once.

Independent

The truth is that 50% of customers have never changed supplier, and those who have done so once are not doing it again.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Avoid removing the lid during the cooking process, only doing so once you are ready to test for doneness.

WikiHow

I did so once.

The Guardian

He did so once more with Coil.

The New York Times - Sports

She did so once again.

The Guardian - Books

He did so once again at Carnegie Hall.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "done so once" to clearly indicate that an action or event has occurred only a single time. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "done so once" when the action has been repeated multiple times. If the action has occurred more than once, use phrases like "done so multiple times" or "done so repeatedly" to accurately reflect the frequency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "done so once" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the frequency or number of times an action has been performed. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "done so once" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that an action or event has occurred a single time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in news and media. It functions as an adverbial phrase, providing clarity about the frequency of an action, and maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the singularity of the action to avoid confusion. Alternatives include phrases like "did it once" or "completed it once". However, "done so once" is the preferred choice in the scenarios with clear communication and straightforward structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did it once

Replaces "done so" with "did it", simplifying the phrase.

only did it once

Adds emphasis on the singularity of the action.

completed it once

Focuses on the completion aspect of the action.

accomplished it once

Uses "accomplished" instead of "done", adding a sense of achievement.

achieved it once

Similar to "accomplished it once", but with a slightly different connotation.

carried it out once

Emphasizes the execution of an action.

performed it once

Formal alternative, suitable for technical or official contexts.

executed it once

Similar to "performed it once", but with a stronger emphasis on precision.

realized it once

Suggests the action involved bringing something into reality.

enacted it once

Implies the action was part of a law or formal process.

FAQs

How can I use "done so once" in a sentence?

You can use "done so once" to indicate a single instance of an action, such as "The company had tried that strategy before, but "done so once" only."

What are some alternatives to "done so once"?

Alternatives include "did it once", "completed it once", or "only did it once", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "done so once"?

Yes, "done so once" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to specify that an action has occurred a single time.

What's the difference between "done so once" and "done so before"?

"Done so once" specifies that the action has occurred only one time, while "done so before" simply indicates that the action has occurred at least one time in the past, without specifying the exact number of occurrences.