once prevalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once prevalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was common or widely accepted in the past but is no longer the case. Example: "The use of typewriters was once prevalent before the advent of personal computers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

While once prevalent, grassland ecosystems have and continue to be degraded throughout much of North America.

Biological and Environmental Hazards, Risks, and Disasters

The infectious disease kuru was once prevalent in people of the Fore tribe of New Guinea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He noted that the once prevalent view that membership in Congress was "harmless" is now being discredited.

The New Yorker

Floods, once prevalent, have generally been brought under control by state and federal dams and other conservation measures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

District heating was once prevalent in many American cities (and continue to be in many European ones).

The Economist

In its essence, Wahhabism sought to simplify Islam to its purest form, rejecting the once prevalent worship of things like rocks and saints' tombs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

There are also reminders of once-prevalent practices that have fallen from favour.

The Guardian - Film

The Eurocommunist movement avowedly rejected the subordination of all communist parties to the once-prevalent Soviet doctrine of one monolithic world communist movement.

Britannica

Subscribers now account for only 60 percent of tickets instead of the once-prevalent 80 percent at the Philharmonic, Mr. Mehta said.

The New York Times - Arts

On the other hand, when Reich talks about the dynamism of the new economy, he skips over the ways in which the old one undermined once-prevalent social relations.

The New York Times - Books

"That the murder of black victims is treated as less culpable than the murder of white victims provides a haunting reminder of once-prevalent Southern lynchings," Justice Stevens wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once prevalent" to add historical context to a situation, contrasting past conditions with the present.

Common error

Avoid using "once prevalent" when describing something that is still relatively common or has only recently declined in popularity. Ensure the subject truly represents a past condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once prevalent" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the state of something having been widespread or common at a previous time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once prevalent" is a useful tool for indicating that something was common in the past but is less so now. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and sees its usage across various contexts, most commonly in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. When using this phrase, ensure you are accurately reflecting a change in prevalence over time. Consider alternatives like "formerly widespread" or "previously common" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly widespread

Emphasizes the extent of the previous distribution or acceptance.

previously common

Highlights the past frequency or occurrence of something.

used to be widespread

Indicates a past state of broad distribution.

at one time common

Specifies a particular period when something was common.

historically common

Links the prevalence of something to a historical context.

in bygone times

Refers to a period in the past when something was typical.

formerly dominant

Focuses on the previous prevailing influence or power of something.

in earlier times

Points to a past era when something was common.

was once the norm

Highlights that something was a standard or typical practice.

in past times

Refers generally to the past when something was prevalent.

FAQs

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

Use "once prevalent" to describe something that was common or widespread in the past but is less so now. For example, "The use of typewriters was "once prevalent" before the advent of personal computers".

What are some alternatives to "once prevalent"?

You can use alternatives such as "formerly widespread", "previously common", or "at one time common" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "once prevalent" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "once prevalent" is correct and commonly used in English to describe something that used to be widespread. Other phrases, such as "formerly widespread", could be used instead for variety.

What's the difference between "once prevalent" and "currently common"?

"Once prevalent" describes something that was common in the past but isn't anymore, while "currently common" describes something that is common now. They have opposite meanings.