once so far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once so far" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has occurred one time up to the present moment. Example: "I have only seen that movie once so far this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Only once so far, however, have I found a real treasure.

The New Yorker

They've played each other once so far this year, and Ottawa won 3-2.

The Guardian - Sport

Noll won the championship four times, Cowher once and Tomlin once, so far.

The New York Times - Sports

However, for instrumental reasons, soft X-ray polarimetry has been performed only once so far by a mission on board the OSO-8 satellite in 1975.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

They've posted only once so far, on May 16, but there is some lively banter — Okra slow to germinate!

The New Yorker

Carly Rae Jepsen has worked with Max Martin only once so far, on 2012's Tonight I'm Getting Over You.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The two cities were once not so far apart but now "the difference is considerable".

The Guardian

To make him happy, Warner once went so far as to send movie props to his Brentwood mansion for his son's birthday party.

The New York Times

When Mario Cuomo was governor, he experienced so much agita about Italian-American stereotypes that he once went so far as to deny that the Mafia existed.

The New York Times

The Germans once went so far as trying to detain CIA operatives before being made to buckle by an onslaught of US intimidation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once admitted so far into a citizen's personal sovereignty (attire and religious belief are very personal indeed), the power of government can and will go in all different directions, not merely the one first chosen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once so far" to clearly indicate a singular event that has occurred up to the present time, especially when implying that it may occur again in the future. For instance, "We've only tested this prototype "once so far", but the initial results are promising."

Common error

Avoid using "once so far" when the event is expected or likely to happen again imminently. In such cases, using "once" alone might be more appropriate. For example, instead of "I've visited that museum "once so far", and I plan to go again next week", simply say "I've visited that museum once."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once so far" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or number of times an action or event has occurred up to the present moment. Ludwig AI examples confirm its role in specifying a single occurrence within a given timeframe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once so far" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it specifies that an event has occurred a single time up to the present. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, with primary usage in news and media. While synonyms like "one time so far" or "only once until now" exist, it’s crucial to consider the subtle nuances each offers. Remember to use "once so far" to highlight a singular event with the implication of potential recurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one time so far

Replaces "once" with "one time" for a more explicit expression of a single occurrence.

only once until now

Adds "only" for emphasis and uses "until now" to specify the time frame.

just once to date

Replaces "so far" with "to date" offering a more formal tone.

a single time thus far

Uses "a single time" for clarity and "thus far" as a formal alternative to "so far".

once up to now

Replaces "so far" with "up to now" for a slightly less formal tone.

only a single instance thus far

Emphasizes singularity and uses formal wording.

once thus far

A slightly more formal alternative, using "thus far" instead of "so far".

a solitary time so far

Emphasizes the isolated nature of the event.

on one occasion so far

More verbose and formal, using "on one occasion" instead of "once".

one instance hitherto

Uses advanced vocabulary to indicate a single occurrence up to this point.

FAQs

How can I use "once so far" in a sentence?

Use "once so far" to indicate that something has happened a single time up to the present. For example, "I've only seen that movie "once so far" this year".

What are some alternatives to "once so far"?

You can use alternatives like "one time so far", "only once until now", or "just once to date" depending on the context.

Is "once so far" formal or informal?

"Once so far" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. More formal alternatives include "a single time thus far" or "once thus far".

Can I use "once so far" to describe something that happened in the distant past?

While grammatically correct, "once so far" is best used when there's an implication that the event might happen again. If the event is isolated and unlikely to recur, using "once" alone is often sufficient.