once eager

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once eager" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who was previously enthusiastic or keen about something but may no longer feel that way. Example: "She was once eager to learn new languages, but now she seems indifferent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Western investors were once eager to buy into Chinese companies that had secured listings on American exchanges.

The Economist

Washington, once eager to bolster the presence of big Western oil companies as a way to trim the power of Russia, has receded on that front, too.

The New York Times

The filmmakers themselves seem caught between the two versions, at once eager to disclaim any moralistic intentions and unwilling to embrace amoralism outright.

The New York Times

Once eager to learn from the United States, China's leaders during the financial crisis have reaffirmed their faith in their own more statist approach to economic management, in which private capitalism plays only a supporting role.

The New York Times

She knew who her sons and our families were, but her once eager conversation had dwindled to nods and assents, and, for some reason, the regular uttering of the phrase "Let them come".

Independent

The collapse of Enron, the giant energy trading company -- and the prospect of an energy glut in many parts of the country -- has frightened investors who were once eager to pour money into power plant projects.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Once-eager support for American-led wars has faded, shown by the easterners' reluctance to play a role in Libya.

The Economist

Brokers in Gulf Shores say that not only are the telephones quiet in their offices, but that once-eager buyers are also backing out of deals.

The New York Times

Thai workers found their incomes worth 25% less; financial markets re-coiled; once-eager foreign investors jumped to the sidelines.

Forbes

China's students, once his eager followers, appeared unmoved.

The Economist

Doctors, once so eager to perform autopsies that they stole bodies, have simply stopped asking.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once eager" to contrast past enthusiasm with a current state of indifference or change. It effectively highlights a shift in attitude or circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "once eager" when referring to a continuous state. This phrase is best suited for describing a change, not a consistent attitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once eager" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe a state of prior enthusiasm. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's commonly used to indicate a shift in attitude.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once eager" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a past state of enthusiasm, contrasting it with a present state of indifference or change. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and it is most frequently found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure that it reflects a genuine shift in attitude or circumstances to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "formerly keen" or "previously enthusiastic" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly keen

Emphasizes a previous state of enthusiasm, replacing "eager" with a synonym.

previously enthusiastic

Replaces "eager" with a more descriptive adjective, focusing on prior excitement.

used to be keen

Uses a verb phrase to indicate a past inclination, changing the sentence structure.

had been enthusiastic

Employs the past perfect tense to describe a prior state of eagerness.

at one time keen

Adds a temporal phrase to emphasize the past nature of the enthusiasm.

formerly willing

Replaces "eager" with "willing", focusing on past readiness.

previously disposed

Uses a more formal alternative to "eager", indicating a past inclination.

once inclined

Highlights a past tendency or leaning, swapping "eager" with "inclined".

at first enthusiastic

Emphasizes the initial excitement that has now diminished.

initially keen

Similar to "at first enthusiastic", but with a different choice of words.

FAQs

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

Use "once eager" to describe a past enthusiasm that no longer exists. For example: "He was "once eager" to volunteer, but now he avoids it."

What is a good alternative to "once eager"?

Alternatives include "formerly keen", "previously enthusiastic", or "used to be keen", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "once eager"?

Yes, "once eager" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe someone who had enthusiasm in the past.

What's the difference between "once eager" and "still eager"?

"Once eager" indicates a change in enthusiasm, while "still eager" suggests that the enthusiasm has persisted over time. They convey opposite temporal contexts.