it once existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it once existed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was present or real in the past but is no longer the case. Example: "The ancient civilization was fascinating, and it once existed in what is now modern-day Turkey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Fake names are more popular than ever, yet the pseudonym as it once existed is just about dead.

The New York Times - Books

But Indochine as it once existed inevitably died (and not just because Brian McNally sold it in 1992).

The New York Times - Food

Turks have long disputed the exact size and nature of the "deep state," but few doubt that something like it once existed.

The New Yorker

Google Maps and Costa Rica may protest all they want: the mere fact that it once existed means that the faulty border will live on, at least on Nicaraguan maps.

The New York Times

Sure, as Eric Duhatschek argues in The Globe and Mail, hockey fans will reflexively come back to root for their favorite teams no matter how much they hate the N.H.L., but does the league want to keep banking on that alone while it reminds everyone else how easy it is to forget that it once existed?

The New York Times

Part of this might have to do with their instinctively inclusive temperaments they have come of age in an era in which intolerance is forcefully policed and part of it might have to do with the breakdown of genre, at least as it once existed in the record bins.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In case you'd like a map of where that slightly famous establishment once existed (it recently having been demolished), the CD booklet supplies such a thing, so plan your next trip to Memphis accordingly.

Huffington Post

Secondly, compared to the much smaller number of "in-house" government-run PCTs that once existed, it will be increasingly difficult to oversee and regulate all these out-sourced companies. .

Vice

Oddly, it did once exist in that form: in the first trailer, shown months ago, which featured no talking at all, and no shouting, either — just a silent montage of mayhem, overlaid with the twang of a plaintive electro-soundtrack.

The New Yorker

Wouldn't my students ask, "Isn't it possible that the Oral History had once existed, and even that it still exists?

The New Yorker

It's a reminder that LPs once existed, and that they had their own internal rhythms.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it once existed" to clearly indicate that something was real or present at some point in the past but is not so anymore. This phrase works well when emphasizing change over time.

Common error

Avoid using "it once existed" when referring to something that still exists in a different form. Ensure the subject truly no longer exists in any capacity before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it once existed" functions as a statement of past existence. It asserts that something was real or present at some point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it once existed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote something that was present or a reality in the past but is no longer so. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While synonyms like "it used to be" offer more common alternatives, "it once existed" remains a clear and effective way to convey the passage of time and change, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it used to be

Replaces "once existed" with a more common idiom, focusing on a past state.

it formerly existed

Substitutes "once" with "formerly", making it slightly more formal.

it previously existed

Replaces "once" with "previously", emphasizing the temporal aspect.

it had existed

Uses the past perfect tense, highlighting that the existence preceded another event or time.

it did exist in the past

Adds explicit clarification of the time frame, emphasizing the past.

it was once present

Replaces "existed" with "present", focusing on the presence rather than the existence.

it has since vanished

Focuses on the disappearance of something that existed before.

it is now defunct

Indicates that something that once existed is no longer functional or operational.

it is now extinct

Implies a more permanent end to existence, often used for species or concepts.

it is a thing of the past

An idiomatic expression denoting something that no longer exists or is relevant.

FAQs

How can I use "it once existed" in a sentence?

Use "it once existed" to describe something that was present or a reality in the past but no longer is. For example, "The Roman Empire was a powerful force; "it once existed" across much of Europe".

What is a synonym for "it once existed"?

Synonyms include phrases like "it used to be", "it formerly existed", or "it previously existed", all conveying the idea of something that existed in the past but does not now.

Is it correct to say "it exists no more" instead of "it once existed"?

While "it exists no more" is grammatically correct, it carries a more dramatic or poetic tone compared to the more neutral ""it once existed"". The choice depends on the desired effect.

What's the difference between "it once existed" and "it used to exist"?

"It used to exist" is a more common and informal way of saying ""it once existed"". The latter is slightly more formal and emphasizes the fact that something was a reality at a specific point in the past.