once able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"once able to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate a past ability or action that is no longer ongoing. Example: Once able to speak fluent French, Maria now struggles to carry on a simple conversation in the language. In this sentence, "once able to" is used to show that Maria had the ability to speak fluently in the past, but now she struggles with it. Other possible examples could be: - Once able to run a marathon, Sarah had to give up running due to an injury. - After years of hard work, John was once able to play the piano like a professional. - The old factory, once able to produce hundreds of cars a day, is now abandoned and decaying.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Citizens who were once able to voice their opposition now face harassment or worse.

The New York Times

Once able to turn a healthy profit, Is'Haki now barely breaks even, Mr. Haj said.

The New York Times

Recruits were once able to sign up for the Green Berets when they enlisted.

The New York Times

Mr. Lipsitz was once able to navigate through narrow underground tunnels with ease, but no longer.

The New York Times

Although tourists were once able to freely climb the pyramids, that is now illegal.

Britannica

I was once able to alert my wife at 9 a.m. that her 3 p.m. flight was canceled.

The New York Times - Travel

Typical Marx: Romantic, charismatic, cosmopolitan, and at once able to combine the workers' revolution with protestations of uxoriousness.

The Guardian - Books

Women here, once able to offer expert counsel at wresting welfare benefits, now help one another navigate the labor marketplace.

The New York Times

Tourists were also once able to meander through the arches along Chestnut Street directly into Independence Square.

The New York Times

Through much of that time, he has appeared a far cry from the man once able to convey tremendous power when he walked into a room.

The New York Times

This has been of little comfort to patients, many of whom were once able to reclaim their expenses but now have to pay themselves.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once able to" to highlight a change in ability over time, creating a contrast between past and present capabilities. This can add depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "once able to" when the ability still exists. The phrase implies a loss or change in capacity over time, so using it when someone or something is still capable of the action is inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once able to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a past capability or state. Ludwig examples show it highlighting a contrast between past and present abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once able to" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to describe a past capability that no longer exists. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively highlights a contrast between past and present states. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news and media, with applications ranging from personal abilities to broader societal or technological changes. When using "once able to", ensure that the described ability is indeed something that has diminished or been lost. Consider alternatives like "used to be able to" or "formerly capable of" for nuanced expression. The key is to use "once able to" to accurately convey a shift over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could once

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning, using the modal verb "could".

in the past was able to

Adds a temporal marker for clarity, specifying the past timeframe.

used to be able to

Emphasizes the habitual nature of the past ability more directly.

at one time could

Highlights a specific point in time when the ability existed.

formerly capable of

Replaces "once able" with a more formal synonym for "able" while maintaining the sense of a past capability.

previously found it possible to

Focuses on the feasibility of the action in the past.

was formerly equipped to

Suggests the ability came from having specific resources or equipment.

had once mastered

Implies a high level of skill or proficiency that has since diminished.

earlier had the power to

Suggests the ability was related to influence or authority.

previously had the capacity to

More formal and emphasizes the inherent potential rather than the actual ability.

FAQs

How can I use "once able to" in a sentence?

Use "once able to" to describe a past capability that no longer exists. For example, "She was "once able to" run marathons, but injuries have made it impossible now."

What phrases are similar to "once able to"?

Similar phrases include "used to be able to", "formerly able to", or "previously had the capacity to". These alternatives also indicate a past capability that has changed.

Is it correct to say "once able to" if the ability still exists?

No, "once able to" implies that the ability has been lost or diminished. If the ability still exists, use phrases like "still able to" or "currently capable of".

What is the difference between "once able to" and "always able to"?

"Once able to" indicates a past ability that is no longer present, while "always able to" suggests a consistent and ongoing capability.