even for once

USAGE SUMMARY

"even for once" is a perfectly valid phrase.
It can be used as a way of emphasizing an infrequent occurrence, for example: "I would like to go to the movies even for once."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He may even, for once, feel he is not the most hardline voice in the room.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Last week's currency crash deepened a steady decline that has helped send prices soaring even for basic foodstuffs and reduced most Syrians' buying power to a fraction of prewar levels, making it hard even for once-well-off families to afford meat and fish.

The New York Times

The evening for once belongs to the author and the actors.

The Guardian

But the world is more complicated than it once was, even for the once revered Master of the Money Supply: "The complexity of our economy is such that you essentially get very complex differences in the way monetary policy plays out, but at the end of the day it does seem to be effective," Greenspan told the Senate Banking Committee.

Forbes

Even I, for once, can wait for its release.

The New Yorker

"But it's nice to have even teams, for once".

The New Yorker

It is hard to resist trying out the silly dance moves, even just for once, and Tilley is no exception.

The New Yorker

Last year I was not even nominated for "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai," and I was OK with it.

The New York Times

It's still a book largely about English people, even though for once it's set entirely on the American continent.

The Guardian - Books

It was against his better nature to bask in a sense of satisfaction, his instinct always to look forward to the next challenge even if, for once, reflection seemed the safest option.

The Guardian - Sport

The sharp fall in the unemployment rate to 7.15 per cent from 7.69 per cent means that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee is faced with the prospect that one of its triggers for raising interest rates may soon be breached, even though for once, inflation is at target.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even for once" to highlight a notable exception to a prevailing pattern or expectation. It adds emphasis to the unusual nature of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "even for once" when simply stating a common occurrence. This phrase is designed to emphasize rarity and unexpectedness, not to describe something routine.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even for once" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding emphasis to the unusual or exceptional nature of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes an infrequent occurrence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even for once" functions as an adverbial phrase to emphasize an infrequent or exceptional event. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to highlight situations that deviate from the norm. While the phrase is most commonly found in news and media, it can be used in various contexts to add emphasis. Alternatives such as "just for once" or "for a change" can be used to express similar meanings. Remember to use it when stressing the unusual nature of a situation, rather than a common occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just for once

Indicates a singular instance where something should happen differently.

for once at least

Emphasizes a minimal expectation or desire for something to happen.

at least this once

Focuses on the importance of something occurring at least on this particular occasion.

if only for once

Expresses a wish or longing for something to happen on at least one occasion.

if only this time

Expresses a desire for a different outcome specifically for this instance.

for this one time

Highlights a specific instance where something different should occur.

for a change

Implies a departure from the usual routine or situation.

for this single occasion

Emphasizes the uniqueness and importance of this particular instance.

for just this instance

Highlights the limited scope of the exception to a single occurrence.

on this one occasion

Focuses on the specificity of the event where a change is desired.

FAQs

How can I use "even for once" in a sentence?

Use "even for once" to emphasize that something is happening in a way that is unusual or unexpected. For example, "Even for once, the train was on time."

What's a similar expression to "even for once"?

Alternatives include "just for once", "for a change", or "at least this once", all of which highlight something happening that's not typical.

Is it correct to say "even if for once" instead of "even for once"?

While "even if for once" might be understood, it's not as idiomatic or grammatically sound as "even for once". The latter directly emphasizes the rarity of the event.

What's the nuance between "even for once" and "finally"?

"Finally" indicates something has happened after a long delay or anticipation. "Even for once" highlights the unusual nature of an event, regardless of how long it was awaited.