it has once been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has once been" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something existed or occurred at a specific time in the past, but is no longer the case. Example: "It has once been a thriving community, but now it is mostly abandoned."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Therefore, it cannot be repeated when it has once been validly performed as a sacrament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has once been reported that ALX/FPR2 is expressed in spinal astrocytes [ 82].

BioMed Research International

It has once been suggested that euglenids and trypanosomatids might have acquired their plastids prior to their divergence, followed by plastid loss in the trypanosomatid clade.

DNA Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And with an endowment of over $22 billion, Harvard University is no longer as abjectly grateful to its donors as it had once been.

Forbes

It has broadened its customer base, to be sure, and maybe its not quite as exclusive as it had once been but its working.

Forbes

Before its independence in 1961, it had once been a German colony & later a British trusteeship territory.

The New Yorker

Because it was dead, its form intimated painfully that it had once been alive.

The New Yorker

Thus was Babylon quickly reduced to the small and minor state it had once been upon its founding.

Wikipedia

For many years afterward most of the city was a heap of rubble, and its population dwindled to a fraction of what it had once been.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It had once been a mill town.

The New Yorker

It had once been a caretaker's cabin.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has once been" to clearly indicate a state or condition that existed in the past but is no longer true in the present. This phrasing adds a touch of formality and emphasis.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it has once been" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it used to be" or "it was" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has once been" functions as a way to describe a past state or condition of something, indicating that it's no longer the case. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has once been" is a grammatically sound way to describe a past condition that no longer exists. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While valid, it's less common than alternatives like "it used to be" and "it was formerly". Its usage tends toward neutral to formal contexts, as observed in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When writing, consider your audience and the desired tone; a simpler phrasing might be more appropriate for informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was formerly

Replaces 'has once been' with a more direct and concise past tense.

it used to be

Expresses a past state or condition that is no longer true.

it had previously been

Emphasizes the prior existence of something before a change.

it was at one time

Highlights a specific period in the past when something was the case.

it has in the past been

Reorders the words for a slightly different emphasis.

it once was

A shorter and more emphatic way of saying something existed in the past.

it is a former

Describes something in terms of its past state or role.

it earlier had been

Highlights what it was previously instead of now.

it is not now

Emphasizes the contrast between past and present states.

it no longer is

Indicates something has ceased to be in its previous state.

FAQs

What does "it has once been" mean?

The phrase "it has once been" means that something existed or was true at some point in the past but is no longer that way.

What can I say instead of "it has once been"?

You can use alternatives like "it used to be", "it was formerly", or "it was at one time" depending on the context.

Is "it has once been" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it has once been" is grammatically correct, although it is more formal and less common than alternatives like "it used to be".

How do I use "it has once been" in a sentence?

Use "it has once been" to describe a past state or condition that is no longer valid. For example: "That building "it has once been" a school, but now it's an office building."