once popular

USAGE SUMMARY

"once popular" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that used to be well-liked or widely accepted but is no longer as accepted or respected. For example, "Once popular trends like beaded bracelets and neon colors have fallen out of fashion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Once popular,you will have access to the popular tables everywhere until super popularity.

WikiHow

It is at once popular and mystical, festive and arcane.

The New Yorker

Rowing in and around Manhattan was once popular and easy.

The New York Times - Sports

The archive of this once popular book review journal.

Columbia University

"Damned lie," once popular, is too closely associated with statistics.

The New York Times - Magazine

The latter were once popular but are becoming a thing of the past, says Mr Willey.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Once-popular destinations were deserted.

The New York Times

Consider the once-popular "Irish branch".

The Guardian - Money

Several once-popular militant clerics have publicly recanted.

The Economist

Their once-popular cameras would soon be obsolete.

The New York Times

The once-popular officer returned to Rochester in disgrace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "once popular", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject is no longer popular. This provides a clearer understanding of the shift or change that occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "once popular" when the subject still maintains a degree of popularity, even if diminished. Using it prematurely can mislead readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once popular" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, describing a noun by indicating its former state of popularity. It suggests a contrast between past and present conditions, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once popular" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adjective phrase used to describe entities that have experienced a decline in their former popularity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to inform readers about a shift in popularity and often invites further explanation regarding the reasons behind this change. When employing the phrase, it's essential to ensure the context clearly indicates the reasons for the decline to avoid misleading readers about the subject's current status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously well-liked

Substitutes "popular" with "well-liked", focusing on past approval.

formerly in vogue

Replaces "popular" with "in vogue", indicating a past fashion or trend.

used to be trending

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of popularity as a trend.

previously common

Focuses on the past commonness or frequency of something.

formerly widespread

Highlights the extent of past prevalence rather than preference.

outdated but well-received

Adds the connotation of being outdated, yet previously positively regarded.

in former times beloved

Elevates the phrasing by using "beloved", highlighting strong past affection.

back in the day popular

Informal way to indicate that something used to be popular in the past.

bygone celebrated

Uses "bygone" and "celebrated" to denote something that was once popular and well-known.

no longer in favor

Highlights the current lack of popularity instead of past prevalence.

FAQs

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

You can use "once popular" to describe something that was previously well-liked or common but is no longer so. For example, "Bell-bottom jeans were "once popular", but now skinny jeans are more fashionable".

What can I say instead of "once popular"?

You can use alternatives like "formerly in vogue", "previously well-liked", or "used to be trending" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "once popular" or "popular before"?

"Once popular" and "popular before" are both grammatically correct, but "once popular" is more concise and commonly used. "Popular before" may sound less natural in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "once popular" and "still popular"?

"Once popular" indicates that something used to be well-liked or common but is no longer so, while "still popular" means that something continues to be well-liked or common. They express opposite states of popularity.