once since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once since" is not a grammatically correct or commonly used phrase in written English.
"Once" and "since" have different meanings and do not typically go together in a sentence. An alternative phrase that conveys a similar meaning could be "previously since." For example, "I have not seen her previously since she moved away." This means the speaker has not seen the person in question since they moved away from their previous location.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They've spoken only once since.

The New York Times - Magazine

Indeed, she has lost once since 2001.

The Guardian - Sport

Washed hair once since leaving Kuwait.

The New York Times

Mr Traore had returned to Timbuktu once since fleeing.

Independent

I've seen Anthony only once since the fence went up.

The New York Times

He has galloped only once since winning the Kentucky Derby.

The New York Times

He has only galloped once since the Derby.

The New York Times

Wigan have won the Challenge Cup once since, in 2002.

The Guardian - Sport

Has only been to the White House once since Roosevelt Roosevelt became President.

The New Yorker

The season has also been a nightmare for Hughes, who has won once since June 6.

The New York Times - Sports

She has skied on consecutive days only once since the injury.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "once since" in formal writing. Rephrase your sentence to use grammatically correct alternatives like "only once since" or restructure the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Do not confuse "once since" with phrases that correctly indicate time relationships. Use alternatives such as "only once since" to clearly express that an action has occurred a single time after a specific event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once since" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to specify frequency and establish a temporal relationship between two events. However, according to Ludwig AI it is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "once since" is frequently used across various domains, including news and media, it is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. The intended meaning is to indicate a single occurrence after a specific event. To maintain grammatical correctness, it's best to use alternatives such as "only once since" or rephrase the sentence for clarity. Although its usage is widespread, particularly in informal contexts, adhering to standard English conventions is recommended, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afterwards since

Emphasizes the sequence of events, but may not always fit the context as "since" implies a duration.

previously since

Like 'formerly', but focuses on actions before 'since' the starting point.

formerly since

Indicates a change from a previous state, but doesn't directly address frequency.

yet since

Highlights something that hasn't happened up to now from an event in the past.

again since

Implies repetition, which may not be suitable in all contexts where "once since" is used.

ever since

Indicates continuity from a past event to the present, differing from a single occurrence.

someday since

Refers to an unspecified time in the future, unlike "once" which is specific.

immediately since

Describes what happens right after a specific time.

before since

Focuses on something prior, not the frequency of actions after a point in time.

soon since

Focuses on the immediate aftermath.

FAQs

What does "once since" mean?

While frequently used, "once since" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate way to phrase this would be to say "only once since", indicating that something has happened a single time after a particular event.

How can I use "only once since" in a sentence?

You can use the construction "only once since [event]" to indicate something has occurred a single time following a specific event. For instance, "He has visited only once since his graduation".

Which is correct, "once since" or "only once since"?

"Only once since" is the grammatically correct option. "Once since" is often perceived as ungrammatical. Always prefer the inclusion of "only" to ensure clarity.

Are there alternatives to "only once since"?

Depending on the context, you could also use "just once since" or rephrase the sentence to use constructions like "a single time since".