once gained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once gained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been acquired or achieved in the past and is now held or possessed. Example: "The trust of the community is fragile; once gained, it must be carefully maintained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He once gained 462 yards in a game.

The New York Times - Sports

"Because knowledge once gained is irreversible, so too are the lowered risk premiums," he declared in one recent speech.

The New York Times

From humble roots in Philadelphia, he has more than once gained, lost and regained sway in LA showbusiness.

The Guardian - Tech

Meanwhile, in the United States Congress, there are fewer and fewer young members with foreign experience, something once gained, in many cases, by military service.

The New York Times

But it may be that he, like Steve Donoghue, will view with most fondness the victories he once gained on a 10-year-old stayer.

The Guardian - Sport

The US military regards it as good for morale but as web users know, once gained, it soon comes to feel like a basic right.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In the last several months, the British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby of BarberOsgerby have once gain proven their impressive versatility.

The New York Times

Knowing how best to activate a site, once gaining it, is an entirely different skill, one that failed her here.

The New York Times - Arts

This season, however, he has run 24 times, not once gaining more than 10 yards, and has no touchdowns.

The New York Times - Sports

Their plight and their right to be freed from illegal incarceration, once gaining support in Israel and the West, is now forgotten.

Huffington Post

The desire to retain such peak condition explains why Tevez is, once gain, contemplating retirement from international football, citing the draining nature of trans-continental commitments with Argentina.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once gained" to emphasize the enduring nature of something acquired, such as knowledge, trust, or a skill.

Common error

Avoid using "once gained" to describe a future acquisition. It refers to something already obtained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once gained" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the condition or state following the acquisition of something. It modifies the verb or clause that follows, highlighting the significance of what has been obtained. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once gained" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to highlight the enduring significance of an acquired state or object. Ludwig's analysis indicates its common usage across News & Media and scientific domains, with a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts. Alternatives include "after acquiring" or "having achieved". When employing "once gained", ensure the context aligns with its past-tense implication, emphasizing the lasting impact of what has been obtained. Avoid its use for prospective or future acquisitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once attained

Synonymous replacement for "gained" emphasizing the achievement.

after acquiring

Focuses on the action of acquiring something and its subsequent state.

upon obtaining

Highlights the moment of obtaining something and what follows.

having achieved

Emphasizes the accomplishment of achieving something previously.

after securing

Implies effort was involved in getting something.

subsequently acquired

Highlights the time aspect of something acquired after a specific point.

on gaining possession

Focuses on the action of gaining ownership or control.

following acquisition

Stresses what happens after the act of acquiring something.

with acquisition complete

Highlights the completion of acquiring something and its resultant state.

after the acquisition

Focuses on the period after the acquiring something.

FAQs

How to use "once gained" in a sentence?

You can use "once gained" to describe a state or condition that exists after something has been acquired. For instance, "The experience, "once gained", became invaluable".

What can I say instead of "once gained"?

Alternatives to "once gained" include "after acquiring", "upon obtaining", or "having achieved" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "once gained" or "after gained"?

"Once gained" is grammatically correct. "After gained" is not a standard English construction; instead, use "after acquiring" or "after it was gained".

What's the difference between "once gained" and "previously gained"?

"Once gained" emphasizes the enduring state after acquisition, while "previously gained" simply indicates that something was acquired at an earlier time. "Once gained" suggests a lasting impact or quality.