once this year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once this year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has occurred a single time within the current calendar year. Example: "I have only visited my hometown once this year, but I plan to go back for the holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I didn't say this once this year, but I really enjoyed watching the team".

BBC

"He's only run once this year.

The Guardian - Sport

Let's consider him perhaps once this year.

The New York Times

Both have raced only once this year.

The New York Times - Sports

"Winning once this year is very good.

The New York Times - Sports

The European Central Bank has cut interest rates only once this year, to 4.5%.

The Economist

"I've just played him once, this year in Brisbane," he said.

Independent

"We've already threatened the fans once this year with a work stoppage.

The New York Times - Sports

Thomas Potter, superintendent of the Central Berkshire district in western Massachusetts, canceled school once this year.

The New York Times

She was badly beaten once this year (in the Met Mile) versus males.

The New York Times - Sports

"I have played with Tiger once this year, the first two rounds at Los Angeles.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once this year" to clearly and concisely indicate that an event or action has occurred a single time within the current year. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "once in a year" when you specifically mean something happened a single time within the current calendar year. "Once in a year" implies a recurring annual event rather than a single occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once this year" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the frequency and timeframe of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once this year" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something has occurred a single time within the current calendar year. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the expression. It is widely used in news media and other general contexts to provide specific information about the frequency of events. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "once in a year", which have different connotations. When writing, remember that "once this year" clearly defines a single occurrence within the present year, making your communication more precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one time this year

Replaces "once" with "one time" for emphasis.

a single time this year

Adds "single" to emphasize the singularity of the event.

just once this year

Adds "just" for a more casual tone and to emphasize the limited occurrence.

only once during this year

Includes "during" to specify the time frame.

on one occasion this year

Replaces "once" with "on one occasion".

one instance this year

Uses a more concise noun-based construction.

a solitary instance this year

Uses more formal language with "solitary instance".

occurred once this year

Adds a verb for more formal construction.

happened once this year

Adds a verb for more active construction.

experienced once this year

Adds a verb for more active construction.

FAQs

How can I use "once this year" in a sentence?

You can use "once this year" to indicate a single occurrence within the current calendar year. For example, "I have only visited my family "once this year"".

What can I say instead of "once this year"?

Alternatives include "one time this year", "a single time this year", or "only once this year", depending on the desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "once this year" or "once in this year"?

"Once this year" is the more common and natural way to express that something happened a single time during the current year. "Once in this year" is less frequently used and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "once this year" and "once last year"?

"Once this year" refers to a single occurrence within the current year, while "once last year" refers to a single occurrence within the previous year. The time frame is the key difference.