once called

USAGE SUMMARY

"once called" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone or something that has a previous name or title, but is now referred to by a different name or title. For example, "Mount McKinley, once called Denali, is the highest peak in the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Arts

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He once called it "outdated".

The Economist

Offense Once called "hitting".

The New York Times

It's what was once called "tinkering".

The New York Times - Arts

Kenny had once called him stupid.

The New Yorker

Which American official once called him "generous"?

The New York Times

My lover once called it fatalism.

The New Yorker

Ms. Stone once called poetry "emotional opinion".

The New York Times - Arts

What was Tokyo once called?

Britannica

Gore Vidal once called America the United States of Amnesia.

The Economist

Peter Foster Foster once called himself "the human headline".

Independent

Eliot Spitzer once called it a white elephant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "once called", ensure that the original name or title is relevant and adds value to the reader's understanding of the topic. Avoid mentioning obscure or irrelevant past names.

Common error

Avoid using "once called" when the original name is already well-known or immediately obvious to the audience. This can make your writing sound repetitive or condescending. Instead, use it to introduce genuinely lesser-known or surprising facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once called" functions as a past participle phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a previous name, title, or description of the noun, providing historical context or additional information. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

8%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Opinion

5%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once called" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to refer to a previous name or title of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and widely accepted phrase. Its primary function is to provide historical context or additional information, often clarifying how a subject was known in the past. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it when the original name is already well-known, as this can create redundancy. Ludwig's examples show the phrase's prevalence in news media, encyclopedias, and other sources, highlighting its broad applicability. Remember to use the alternatives if "once called" does not fit your writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly known as

Highlights the previous identity or name before a change.

previously named

Emphasizes the historical name before a current designation.

used to be called

Indicates a past naming convention that has since been updated.

historically referred to as

Draws attention to a term used in historical contexts.

in the past called

Highlights something was named in the past.

at one time called

Implies something was named in the past but not anymore.

was then known as

Focuses on a name that was current at a specific point in time.

back then called

Denotes a past name within a specific historical period.

in earlier times called

Highlights a term or name from a more distant past.

once designated as

Indicates a past title or classification.

FAQs

How can I use "once called" in a sentence?

Use "once called" to introduce a previous name or description of something, like in "Bangkok was "once called" the Venice of Asia".

What are some alternatives to "once called"?

Alternatives include "formerly known as", "previously named", or "used to be called". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "that was once called"?

Yes, "that was "once called"" is grammatically correct. It emphasizes that something used to have a particular name or description.

What is the difference between "formerly" and "once called"?

"Formerly" directly indicates a previous state or condition, while ""once called"" specifically refers to a previous name or title. "Formerly" can be more general.