it was once possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was once possible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation or condition that was achievable in the past but may not be possible now. Example: "In the early days of the internet, it was once possible to connect with anyone around the world with just a few clicks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It was once possible to distinguish the G.O.P. circus from the G.O.P. horse race.

The New Yorker

It was once possible to go for months, even years, without a random stranger abusing you.

The Guardian - Opinion

As springtime walking weather approaches, I am reminded that it was once possible to circle Manhattan Island on foot.

The New York Times

But the most beguiling pages of all describe a journey it was once possible to make, and which I wish I could do now.

The Guardian - Travel

It was once possible to raise money from public investors years before products were on the market, thus providing an early return to venture capitalists.

The New York Times

It was once possible to characterize the so-called Miranda rule as resting (however implausibly) upon the proposition that what the statute here before us permits -- the admission at trial of un-Mirandized confessions -- violates the Constitution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Opponents of this accord have often talked about a "better" deal, but if that were once possible, it's not possible now.

Huffington Post

It was only possible once other forms of mastery had been established.

The New York Times - Arts

It is thus possible that was once a fairly robust realization of /dz/ for the Mix dialect, but has been gradually losing its ground to [l], following the footsteps of the 漳 Chiang dialect.

Lingua Sinica

It is possible the hall was once surrounded by a moat.

Wikipedia

Voss said it's possible this rat was once a pet that could have escaped or been released.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was once possible" to emphasize a contrast between past opportunities or conditions and the present situation. This can add historical context or highlight change.

Common error

Avoid using "it was once possible" when referring to current or ongoing situations. This phrase specifically denotes something that is no longer feasible. Instead, use phrases like "it is currently possible" or "it remains possible" for present capabilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was once possible" functions as an impersonal construction, indicating a condition or action that was feasible or achievable in the past but is no longer so. As Ludwig shows, it's often used to highlight changes or lost opportunities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was once possible" serves to highlight a contrast between past and present realities. As Ludwig's AI response indicates, it is grammatically sound for expressing previous opportunities or conditions that no longer exist. Primarily found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase offers a way to provide historical context or emphasize change. Common alternatives include "it used to be possible" and "it was formerly possible". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a condition that has genuinely changed, avoiding its misuse in present-day scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it used to be possible

Replaces "was once" with "used to be", indicating a past condition or action that is no longer true.

it was formerly possible

Substitutes "once" with "formerly", providing a more formal tone while retaining the meaning of a past possibility.

it had been possible

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the possibility existed before a certain point in the past.

it was previously feasible

Replaces "possible" with "feasible", emphasizing the practicality or achievability in the past.

it was at one time achievable

Replaces "possible" with "achievable" and "once" with "at one time", stressing the accomplishment aspect of the past capability.

there was a time when it was possible

Adds a temporal context with "there was a time when", highlighting the duration of the past possibility.

in the past it was possible

Emphasizes the past time frame by starting the sentence with "in the past".

earlier it was possible

Uses "earlier" to indicate a time before the present when something was possible.

back then it was possible

Utilizes "back then" to point to a specific period in the past when the possibility existed.

it was within the realm of possibility

Shifts the focus to the potential or likelihood of something happening, rather than a definitive past ability.

FAQs

How can I use "it was once possible" in a sentence?

You can use "it was once possible" to describe a situation that existed in the past but is no longer the case. For example, "It was once possible to buy a house for under $50,000."

What's a more formal alternative to "it was once possible"?

A more formal alternative could be "it was formerly possible". This maintains the meaning but sounds more sophisticated in formal writing.

Is "it is once possible" grammatically correct?

No, "it is once possible" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase to indicate a past possibility is "it was once possible".

What is the difference between "it was once possible" and "it used to be possible"?

While both phrases convey a past possibility, "it was once possible" often emphasizes a specific point in the past or a contrast with the present, while "it used to be possible" suggests a habitual or prolonged condition in the past.