once thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once thinking" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a past state of thought or consideration, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "Once thinking about the consequences, I decided to change my approach."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I sat through the whole thing without once thinking to check my e-mail.

The New Yorker

I remember sitting on the train from Ramsgate to London once, thinking it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pleased with my prize, laying it at her feet, never once thinking where it might lead us.

The Guardian - Books

"I've written several novels, never once thinking they could or should be movies," he wrote in an e-mail message.

The New York Times

As a psychotherapist, I have sat through hours giving therapy sessions, never once thinking my bladder needed support or even counselling.

Independent

I even tried locking them out once, thinking, 'Just a couple more minutes and all my problems will be over.' " But her problems continued.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Once, without thinking, I turned away from her as I was speaking.

The New York Times

Senate Democrats are once again thinking about changing the rules to limit filibusters.

The Economist

And, once again thinking like an elite athlete, she has a final score to settle.

The New York Times - Sports

But, once again thinking time is essential to making these decisions.

The Guardian

It was another tragic scene, yet Mr. Jackson found himself once more thinking about approaching Ms. Goldman, but backed off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "once thinking" with clearer alternatives like "previously thinking" or "at one time believing" to avoid grammatical ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "once thinking" in formal writing. This phrasing is often vague and can confuse readers. Instead, specify the timeframe or context of the thought more precisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once thinking" functions as a participial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing a past state of mind. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "once thinking" appears in some written contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and can lead to ambiguity. Ludwig AI suggests that this phrase is not correct and lacks clarity. Better alternatives include "previously thinking" or "at one time believing". Therefore, it is advisable to avoid "once thinking" in formal writing and opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives to clearly express your intended meaning. Although authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use the term, its infrequent and questionable usage suggests refraining from using it to maintain writing clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once believed

A more concise way to indicate a past belief.

previously thinking

Emphasizes that the thought occurred before the present moment.

formerly thought

Indicates a prior thought or opinion.

at one time believing

Highlights a past belief that may no longer be held.

used to think

Suggests a habitual thought in the past.

had once considered

Implies a past consideration that may not have led to action.

in the past I thought

Directly states that the thought occurred in the past.

I once had the idea

Indicates the existence of a past idea.

on one occasion I thought

Highlights a single instance of thinking something.

I had at one point thought

Emphasizes a specific point in the past when the thought occurred.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "once thinking"?

You can use alternatives like "previously thinking", "at one time believing", or "formerly thought" depending on the context.

Is "once thinking" grammatically correct?

While you might find it in some informal contexts, "once thinking" is generally considered grammatically awkward. It's better to opt for clearer alternatives.

How can I use "previously thinking" in a sentence?

Instead of saying "I was once thinking about buying a house", try "I was previously thinking about buying a house, but now I'm not so sure."

What is the difference between "once thinking" and "at one time believing"?

The phrase "at one time believing" is clearer and more grammatically correct than "once thinking". "At one time believing" explicitly indicates a past belief, reducing potential ambiguity.