once dependable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once dependable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that was reliable in the past but may no longer be so. Example: "The car was once dependable, but now it frequently breaks down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But this once dependable formula is no longer enough.

The New York Times

In the wings is the once dependable Andrew Strauss, who endured such a torrid tour of Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

To DeMott's consternation, even once dependable feminists have come under the sway of what he calls "gender shift" culture.

The New York Times - Books

Climate change further compounds the issue, as once dependable rainfall that replenished critical water supplies is now unreliable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Once-dependable Turkey seems in danger of implosion.

The Guardian

The once-dependable Giants defense had yielded another implausible fourth-quarter touchdown to give up the narrow lead the Giants held through most of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Does grasping for elite status, or vying for various other perks, still make sense when airplanes are often full and those once-dependable upgrades to first class from a cheap coach ticket are harder to come by?

The New York Times

"The results of these mandates have ranged from costly fiascos, such as once-dependable top-loading washers that no longer wash, to higher fatalities in cars downsized by fuel-efficiency rules.

The New York Times - Science

They once grew dependable dried fruits, then switched to wine grapes in the booming late 1990s.

The Economist

There are droughts in regions that once got dependable rain, and deluges in regions used to long dry spells.

The New York Times

Even the business of catching adulterers in the act, once a dependable income stream for private eyes, dried up when a change to marriage law in 1973 meant the party seeking a divorce no longer needed to prove that a spouse had cheated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "once dependable", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was previously reliable for. This adds clarity and emphasizes the change in status.

Common error

Avoid using "once dependable" without providing specific details about the subject's previous reliability. Without context, the phrase can be vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once dependable" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality that a subject used to possess, implying a change in its current state. Ludwig AI examples show this is most commonly used to describe things that are no longer reliable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once dependable" is a useful way to describe something that has lost its reliability over time. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and primarily used in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki. Ludwig AI confirms that "once dependable" is correct in English writing and it can be used to describe something or someone that was reliable in the past but may no longer be so. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a sense of change or decline in dependability, thus, when you use this phrase, remember to establish context in order to get maximum effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once reliable

Similar meaning but without the strong emphasis.

used to be dependable

Expresses the past dependability directly.

formerly reliable

Focuses on the past reliability of something or someone.

previously trustworthy

Emphasizes the past trustworthiness.

not as dependable as it used to be

Compares current and past dependability.

formerly steadfast

Highlights a past state of being firm and unwavering.

no longer dependable

Focuses on the current state of not being dependable.

previously a safe bet

Emphasizes the past certainty or predictability.

formerly a sure thing

Highlights the previous certainty of success or outcome.

unreliable now

Highlights the current unreliability.

FAQs

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

You can use "once dependable" to describe something that used to be reliable but is no longer so. For example, "The car was "once dependable", but now it frequently breaks down."

What's a good alternative to "once dependable"?

Alternatives include "formerly reliable", "previously trustworthy", or "used to be dependable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as "once dependable"?

It means that the thing in question used to be relied upon or trusted, but that is no longer the case. This could be due to changes in its condition, performance, or external factors.

Is it correct to say "once dependable"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, as evidenced by Ludwig, to describe something that was previously reliable. However, consider using stronger synonyms depending on your context.