once faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once faster" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a clear meaning without additional context. Example: "He completed the task once faster than before, but it was still not quick enough."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some technologists say that once faster networks are deployed, new uses will emerge that cannot be foreseen today.

The New York Times - Science

The three-hour train to Wuhan makes a quicker trip than the nearly two-hour flight, once faster train check-in times are accounted for.

The New York Times

While technology would seem to offer some answers, electronic libraries, digital textbooks, online exam marking and distance learning projects can only flourish once faster wireless connectivity has been rolled out.

BBC

And the Vanquish is at once faster than nearly any car on the road 0 to100 mph in ten seconds flat, for example–and at the same time so much more refined and relaxed to drive at city speeds than any Porsche 911, let alone a 360 Modena, that you can actually drive the Vanquish slowly and still enjoy it.

Forbes

Although internet connections are often slow in developing countries, this would be a good application to have once faster networks are available.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Both Hippocrates and Geyelin discovered that once fasting was over, the seizures invariably returned.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That would be a huge setback to this once fast-growing industry.

The New York Times

He once fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, just as Jesus did in the wilderness.

The New York Times - Magazine

India's once fast-growing economy has slowed considerably this year, and the government is hoping the measures will help jump-start growth.

The New York Times

Economies in Brazil and Russia — the other two countries in the so-called BRIC quartet of large, and once fast-growing, developing nations — are expected to shrink 1.1percentand7.5percentcent, respectively.

The New York Times

"Strawweight" is a hymn to a fighting grandfather, once "fast enough his fists blew out the lamps", his glory days now "gone like a day's work".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past performance, use clearer alternatives like "previously faster" or "formerly faster" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "once" directly before comparative adjectives like "faster". "Once" typically indicates a single instance or a past event. Instead, use adverbs like "previously" or phrases like "at one time" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once faster" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to describe a state of being faster in the past. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's not considered standard English. The examples illustrate contexts where something used to exhibit greater speed or efficiency.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once faster" aims to describe something that was quicker in the past. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The phrase appears rarely, predominantly in news and media contexts, and its use is generally discouraged in formal writing. Alternatives such as "previously faster" or "formerly faster" are recommended for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously faster

Replaces "once" with "previously", emphasizing a prior state of being faster.

formerly faster

Substitutes "once" with "formerly", highlighting a past condition of greater speed.

quicker before

Uses "quicker" instead of "faster" and "before" instead of "once", indicating a previous instance of higher speed.

used to be faster

Expresses a past state of being faster using the phrase "used to be".

was faster at one time

Rephrases the idea to emphasize a specific period when something was faster.

at one point faster

Highlights a specific moment in time when something was faster.

faster in the past

Generalizes the time frame to "the past" instead of a specific instance.

previously more rapid

Replaces "faster" with "more rapid", offering a more formal tone.

once more swiftly

Employs "swiftly" instead of "faster", changing the phrasing slightly.

before with more speed

Breaks down the phrase to emphasize speed and prior occurrence.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of "once faster" in a sentence?

It's best to rephrase. For example, use "previously faster" or "formerly faster" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. Here's an example: "The train was "previously faster" before the track repairs."

What are some alternatives to "once faster" that are grammatically correct?

Consider using alternatives like ""previously faster"", "formerly faster", or "used to be faster" to express the same idea with better clarity.

Is "once faster" grammatically correct?

No, "once faster" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It is better to use phrases like ""previously faster"" or "formerly faster".

What is the difference between "once faster" and "previously faster"?

"Previously faster" is a grammatically sound alternative to "once faster". While "once" refers to a single instance or a past time, using it directly with the comparative adjective "faster" sounds awkward. "Previously faster" clearly indicates that something was faster at an earlier time.