once mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once mine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was previously owned or possessed by the speaker. Example: "This house was once mine before I sold it to the new owners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Once mine heart's lit flame, Anon a candle most extinguish'd.

The New Yorker

Or, we'll wander through Heritage Park Historical Village so I can boast about how the sandstone fence in front of Calgary's relocated first brick mansion was once mine.

The Guardian

It is entitled "Love Was Once Yours" and runs: Love was once yours And love was once mine, But you took my heart as a token, And struck it until broken, O baby your killing me.

The New Yorker

Charles Palmer-Tomkinson read from Khalil Gibran's The Prophet, while Shaftesbury's sister read from For These Once Mine, by George Santayana.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It promises more once mining starts.

The Economist

Iron ore, once mined on a large scale, is no longer extracted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once mining petered out, less accessible states like Montana fell behind the national average.

The New York Times

His father was once mining minister and later ran what is now known as Vale, a big mining firm.

The Economist

On lstudio.com "Web Therapy" is a refreshing new spin on the couch humor once mined by Bob Newhart and others.

The New York Times - Arts

The forest was once mined openly for mica, and private mining companies looked after their employees, many of whom were locals.

The New York Times

Iron ore was once mined at Hüttenberg, lead-zinc-molybdenum ore west of Villach, magnesite near Spittal, and lignite in the Lavanttal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once mine" to evoke a sense of nostalgia or to emphasize a change in ownership or status. This phrase works particularly well in literary contexts or when reflecting on the past.

Common error

Avoid using "once mine" in highly formal or business settings where a more direct or professional tone is required. Opt for alternatives like "formerly owned" or "previously in my possession" to maintain a professional demeanor.

Linguistic Context

"Once mine" functions as a possessive phrase, indicating that something was previously owned or belonged to the speaker. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, as illustrated by the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once mine" is a grammatically sound and valid way to express past ownership. While relatively rare in frequency, it is suitable for use in journalistic or literary contexts, often evoking a sense of nostalgia. Ludwig highlights its acceptance and provides examples that showcase its versatility. When considering alternatives, phrases like "formerly mine" or "previously my own" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly mine

Replaces "once" with "formerly", emphasizing a past state without implying a potential return.

previously my own

Uses "previously" and "my own" to highlight the past ownership in a more descriptive way.

used to be mine

Employs a more common and straightforward expression to indicate a past state of belonging.

once belonged to me

Shifts the focus to the action of belonging rather than the state of being "mine".

was once in my possession

Uses a more formal and legalistic tone, stressing the control and ownership aspect.

i used to own

Changes the structure to an active voice, with "I" as the subject, making it more direct.

it was mine at one time

Adds "at one time" to specify a particular period in the past.

mine in the past

A simplified version, placing emphasis on the past aspect of ownership.

earlier it was mine

Using "earlier" to signify prior ownership, giving a sense of chronological context.

i had it once

This alternative refers to previous ownership experience and is more conversational.

FAQs

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

You can use "once mine" to describe something you previously owned, such as "This house was "once mine" before I sold it" or "The memories we made here were "once mine", and now they're yours to cherish".

What are some alternatives to "once mine"?

Alternatives include "formerly mine", "previously my own", or "used to be mine", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "once mine" grammatically correct?

Yes, "once mine" is grammatically correct and functions as a possessive phrase. It's acceptable in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "once mine" and "formerly mine"?

"Once mine" implies a point in the past when something belonged to you, whereas "formerly mine" emphasizes a complete separation from that past ownership. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the past connection or the present state.