once said

USAGE SUMMARY

"once said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a quotation, typically from a person who is no longer living. For example, "Abraham Lincoln once said, 'I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She once said, 'Defeat?

The New York Times

Anderson once said.

Independent

Somebody once said velociraptor.

The New York Times

"Me?" Keith once said.

The New Yorker

As someone once said: Imagine.

Independent

As somebody once said: Football, bloody hell.

Independent

"I hate endings," he once said.

The New Yorker

Mr Schröder once said he might.

The Economist

You once said the novel is dead.

The New Yorker

"I dance for God," she once said.

The New Yorker

But, as someone once said, stuff happens.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "once said", ensure the quotation is accurately cited and relevant to your current topic.

Common error

Double-check the source of the quotation before attributing it using "once said". Incorrect attribution can damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once said" functions as an introductory phrase, specifically used to attribute a statement or quotation to someone who said it in the past. It sets the stage for presenting the attributed words, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once said" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to introduce a quote or statement from someone in the past. As Ludwig AI correctly identifies, it adds authority and context to writing and is found primarily in news and media, but also appears in scientific contexts. It's important to accurately attribute quotations when using this phrase. Alternatives like "stated previously" or "remarked earlier" can be used for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once mentioned

Similar to "once said", but less formal.

stated previously

Emphasizes that the statement was made at an earlier time.

remarked earlier

Highlights the casual nature of the statement.

commented before

Similar to "remarked", but can also indicate a more formal observation.

noted in the past

Focuses on the fact that the information was recorded or observed.

previously articulated

Emphasizes that the idea was clearly and thoughtfully expressed.

mentioned sometime ago

Indicates an unspecified time in the past when the statement was made.

formerly expressed

Indicates a previous expression of a thought or feeling.

declared at one point

Highlights a formal declaration made in the past.

observed in the past

Implies a careful or scientific observation.

FAQs

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

Use "once said" to introduce a past statement or quote from someone. For example, "Albert Einstein "once said", 'Imagination is more important than knowledge.'

What are some alternatives to "once said"?

You can use alternatives like "stated previously", "remarked earlier", or "previously mentioned" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "once said" in formal writing?

Yes, ""once said"" is suitable for both formal and informal writing when introducing a quote from someone.

How does "once said" differ from "said"?

"Once said" indicates that the statement was made at a specific point in the past, whereas "said" can refer to a statement made at any time.