is she once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is she once" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a past state or condition, but without additional context, it is unclear how to use it appropriately. Example: "I wonder if she is once the person I knew."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I am not a new journalist, whatever that is," she once wrote.

The New York Times

"I think it's the best Christmas record there is," she once said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I wanted to show who Hispanics are," she once told The New York Times.

The New York Times - Arts

Was she a once-good cop now disillusioned?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"True journey is return," she once wrote.

The New Yorker

"Foreshadow where this technology is heading," she once told me.

The New Yorker

"My best part is Mum," she once said.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Only once was she called into the hallway for calisthenics.

The New York Times - Sports

Mia is moodier than she once was.

Vice

"Any girl can be glamorous," she once said.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm guiltless," she once said to me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "is she once" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "was she ever" or "did she once" to convey your intended meaning clearly.

Common error

The phrase "is she once" often arises from confusion about verb tenses and sentence construction. Ensure the correct auxiliary verb (was, did, has) aligns with the intended past action or state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is she once" attempts to inquire about a past state or action of a female subject. However, it's grammatically unconventional. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect, suggesting it doesn't conform to standard English grammar rules. The presence of limited examples doesn't validate its grammatical soundness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is she once" is grammatically questionable and not commonly used in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect. While some examples exist, they don't establish its validity. Instead, it's better to use alternatives like "was she ever" or "did she once" to clearly convey the intended meaning of inquiring about a past state or action. The primary context of its usage is news and media, but its overall frequency remains rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was she ever

Focuses on whether she possessed a certain quality at any point in the past.

did she once

Asks if she performed a particular action at some point in the past.

has she ever been

Inquires about her past experiences or states of being.

did she used to be

Questions her former characteristics or roles.

was she formerly

Concerns her previous status or identity.

is she again

Focuses on her returning to a previous state or condition.

is she still

Inquires if she currently possesses a quality or state.

has she become

Focuses on her present state as a result of change.

is she always

Questions if she consistently possesses a certain characteristic.

is she regularly

Asks if she frequently does something or has a particular attribute.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is she once"?

You can use alternatives like "was she ever", "did she once", or "has she ever been" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is she once" or "was she ever"?

"Was she ever" is grammatically correct and clearer than "is she once". The latter is often considered non-standard.

How can I use "did she once" in a sentence?

Use "did she once" to ask if someone performed an action in the past. For example: "Did she once work as a teacher?"

What's the difference between "is she once" and "is she again"?

"Is she again" suggests a return to a previous state, while "is she once" is generally not a grammatically correct phrase.