once existed

USAGE SUMMARY

"once existed" is a valid and acceptable part of the English language and is often used in written English.
It typically implies something that is no longer in existence. For example: "The bridge that once existed between the two villages was destroyed in a storm many years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Your aim from this point onwards is to walk away and remove their ammunition that once existed.

WikiHow

We know that they once existed because Long photographs them.

Independent

They've grown up with more evocative sonograms than once existed.

The New York Times

It created a forest where tidal mudflats had once existed.

The New York Times

Whatever Turkish-Cypriot identity once existed is now being diluted fast.

The Economist

Amercian scientists believe that they may have found evidence that life once existed on Mars.

Independent

In Europe, for example, malaria once existed as far north as Murmansk, in Russia.

The Economist

Whatever fascination once existed was long ago tempered by clarity, and sorrow.

The New York Times

"This," he said more than once, "existed in reality AND in the film".

The New York Times - Travel

Several earth lodges probably meeting places for leaders—once existed in the village.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Who would believe, asks a central character at the end, that such a place once existed?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical changes or past states, use "once existed" to clearly indicate that something is no longer present. This helps provide context and avoid confusion about its current status.

Common error

Do not use "once existed" when describing something that still exists. This phrase is specifically for things that are no longer present. Instead, use the present tense or other appropriate phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once existed" functions as a past tense descriptor, indicating that something was present at some point in the past but is not present now. As supported by Ludwig, this is a valid and acceptable part of the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Huffington Post

5%

Biological Conservation

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once existed" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that was present in the past but is no longer so. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts. It functions primarily to provide historical context and distinguish past conditions from present realities. While the phrase maintains a relatively neutral tone, it can be useful to consider alternatives like "used to exist" or "formerly existed" depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to use "once existed" only when referring to something that is truly no longer present, avoiding ambiguity with the present tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to exist

Replaces "once" with "used to", emphasizing a past habit or state.

formerly existed

Substitutes "once" with "formerly", adding a slightly more formal tone.

existed previously

Reorders the words, placing "previously" after "existed" for a subtle shift in emphasis.

at one time existed

Adds "at one time" to clarify the period when something existed.

existed in the past

Replaces "once" with "in the past", making the timeframe more explicit.

existed before

Uses "before" to indicate that something existed earlier.

existed in former times

Emphasizes a more distant past using the phrase "in former times".

used to be

A more concise phrase that replaces the word "existed" entirely.

was once present

Substitutes "existed" with "was present" and maintains "once".

has since disappeared

Shifts the focus to the disappearance of something, implying it existed previously.

FAQs

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

Use "once existed" to describe something that was present in the past but is no longer there. For example: "The kingdom that "formerly existed" is now just ruins."

What is a good alternative to "once existed"?

Alternatives include "used to exist", "formerly existed", or "existed previously", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say 'exists once' instead of "once existed"?

No, the correct and more common phrasing is "once existed". The phrase 'exists once' is not standard English and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "once existed" and "no longer exists"?

"Once existed" emphasizes a past state of being, while "no longer exists" focuses on the current absence. They are similar, but "once existed" might be preferred when discussing history or origins, while "no longer exists" highlights disappearance or termination.