once owned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once owned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was previously possessed or held by someone. Example: "This vintage car is a rare find, as it was once owned by a famous actor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Five of the eleven prosecution witnesses had been slaves once owned by Mudd.

Johns Hopkins University

He mentioned the yacht he once owned.

The New York Times - Sports

Hollinger once owned The Chicago Sun-Times and other papers.

The New York Times

His white maternal ancestors once owned slaves.

The New York Times

Coincidentally, Beckford once owned the Riesener commode.

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, Genentech once owned part of Tularik.

The New York Times

The family once owned several shops and apartment buildings.

The New York Times - Magazine

Both objects, once owned by Stieglitz, are on view.

The New York Times - Arts

Author recalls the Rolls he once owned, & the feeling he….

The New Yorker

NW, property once owned and occupied by Mamout.

The Washington Post

Her family once owned the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical contexts or biographies, use "once owned" to clearly indicate a past state of ownership that is no longer current. For example, "The building, once owned by a prominent family, is now a museum."

Common error

Avoid using "once owned" when referring to current ownership. This phrase specifically denotes a past state and should not be used if the subject still possesses the item. Instead, use "currently owns" or "presently owns".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once owned" functions as a past participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate prior ownership. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it describing properties, companies, and even abstract concepts like film rights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

8%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once owned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote past ownership. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct to use in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, and academic contexts, it serves to provide historical background or context. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a past state of ownership and avoid confusing it with current ownership. Alternatives include "previously possessed" or "formerly held", offering variety while maintaining clarity. Remember to use "was once owned" instead of "is once owned" for grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously possessed

Replaces "owned" with "possessed", emphasizing the act of having something before.

formerly held

Uses "held" instead of "owned", suitable when referring to positions or rights.

used to possess

Employs "used to" to denote a past state of possession, adding a sense of habit or duration.

at one time had

More verbose, but clarifies the past possession with a specific time frame.

in prior ownership

Focuses on the state of "ownership" being in the past, suitable for legal or historical contexts.

had in the past

Simple and direct alternative using the past tense of "have" and specifying "in the past".

once in possession of

Emphasizes the "possession" aspect and rephrases the structure to include "of".

used to be the proprietor of

More formal and specific, indicating past ownership of a business or establishment.

was previously the owner of

Specifies that someone "was" the owner before, adding a personal element.

earlier ownership included

Highlights that at an "earlier" stage the ownership was from someone different, mostly suited for legal context

FAQs

How do I use "once owned" in a sentence?

Use "once owned" to indicate that someone possessed something in the past but no longer does. For instance, "The painting was "once owned" by a renowned collector."

What are some alternatives to saying "once owned"?

You can use phrases like "previously possessed", "formerly held", or "used to possess" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "is once owned"?

No, "is once owned" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "was once owned" or "had once owned", as "once owned" refers to a past state.

What's the difference between "once owned" and "currently owned"?

"Once owned" indicates past ownership, while "currently owned" indicates present ownership. Using the correct phrase ensures clarity about the timeline of possession.