once developing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once developing" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a past action of development, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "Once developing the project, we realized the challenges we faced."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Snapping, clapping, stomping and clicking his tongue, Mr. Young played the church with his body, a one-man band juggling two or three rhythms at once, developing a sophisticated composition within Ms. Dorrance's.

The New York Times - Arts

Modernization theory claimed that once developing societies came into contact with western European and North American societies, they would be impelled toward modernization and, eventually, would achieve the economic, political, and social features characteristic of the nations of western Europe and the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Norio believes that the US military were once developing new flying machines here that were crescent-shaped, and from a distance would look like flying saucers.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Most exciting of all, once developed, our platform will make it possible to easily duplicate this fully developed solution for similar needs elsewhere.

Huffington Post

Vaccines, once developed, may be ineffective.

The Economist

This is how regional dishes once developed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Once developed, similar land assets have been valued at about $5,000 a hectare.

The Guardian

The company's engineering talent, which had once developed great phones, remained intact, he said.

The New York Times - Tech

The thigh muscles that Soviet training once developed in male ballet stars are pronounced in Soloviev's physique.

The New York Times

According to analysis obtained by EIA, once developed the plantation could be worth more than six times as much.

The Guardian

I once developed an entire theme for a Sunday puzzle after visiting a friend who had just had a baby.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "once developing" in formal writing. Instead, use clearer alternatives like "formerly developing" or "previously under development" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Don't confuse "once developing" with "once developed". The latter implies a completed action or state, while the former is grammatically questionable and doesn't clearly convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once developing" functions as a modifier, attempting to describe something that was in the process of development at a previous time. However, Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically incorrect, which impacts its effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once developing" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in formal writing. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, advising against its usage. While it appears in some sources like The New York Times, Encyclopedia Britannica, and BBC, it is infrequent and should be replaced with clearer, grammatically correct alternatives such as "formerly developing" or "previously under development" to ensure your writing is accurate and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly developing

Replaces "once" with "formerly" to indicate a state that existed in the past.

previously under development

Specifies that something was in the process of being developed earlier.

at one time developing

Uses a more explicit temporal marker to clarify the past development.

used to develop

Emphasizes a past habit or state of development.

while developing

Indicates that development was occurring concurrently with something else.

upon developing

Suggests that something happens immediately after development.

after development began

Focuses on the period following the start of development.

in the process of developing

Highlights the ongoing nature of the development.

during its development

Refers to the period when something was being developed.

in the course of development

Similar to "during its development" but slightly more formal.

FAQs

What does "once developing" mean?

The phrase "once developing" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It is typically intended to mean something that was previously under development. Consider using alternatives like "formerly developing" or "previously developing".

How can I correct the phrase "once developing" in a sentence?

Replace "once developing" with a more grammatically sound alternative. For example, instead of "once developing societies", use "formerly developing societies" or "societies that were once developing".

Is "once developed" different from "once developing"?

Yes, "once developed" and "once developing" have different meanings. "Once developed" means after something has been developed, indicating a completed action. "Once developing" is grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with a phrase like "formerly developing" or "previously under development".

What are some alternatives to "once developing"?

Better alternatives to "once developing" include "formerly developing", "previously developing", "at one time developing", or "previously under development". Choose the alternative that best fits the context of your sentence.