once time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once time" is not correct in written English.
It is likely a confusion of the phrases "once" and "one time," which can be used in different contexts. Example: "I went to the beach once, and it was a memorable experience."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Once time is up, the outer circle rotates left.

The New York Times

Once time passes, the important eventually becomes urgent.

The New York Times

Once time runs out, the loners who are left behind line up and run.

The New York Times - Sports

Because, as is obvious once time has passed, one surprising thing leads to another.

The Guardian - Music

As once time ran slow as treacle now suddenly it speeds up.

The Guardian - Sport

Now that Arnold had married, appearances were much improved, or would be once time had burnished Mary Elizabeth's history.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

He also defended the show's viewing figures, which have fallen to overnight ratings as low as 3.7 million, by pointing out the difference once time-shifting is factored into the numbers.

The Guardian

A 6-foot-2 Dutchwoman, Schultz-McCarthy had a first serve once timed at 126 m.p.h.

The New York Times

(Monaghan was once timed making a twelve-inch pepperoni pie in eleven seconds).

The New Yorker

The most important aspect here is obviously price comparisons, something that was once time-consuming.

TechCrunch

Once time-height cross sections of a given parameter are made from radar data (such as echo power in Fig. 5), a radar data sample for each height and time of the UAV, when the UAV is moving up or down, is obtained from a linear interpolation of the radar-derived values at the height of the UAV.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "once time" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "one time" or "at one time".

Common error

The error lies in misinterpreting "once" as directly interchangeable with "one time" in all contexts. While "once" indicates a single occurrence, it often functions adverbially or as part of conjunctions (e.g., "once I finish"). Using "one time" as two separate words typically is grammatically correct and may solve your problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once time" attempts to combine an adverb of frequency ("once") with a noun ("time"). However, this combination does not form a grammatically correct or meaningful construction in standard English. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once time" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig confirms, it is not a recognized or accepted construction. The intended meaning, which likely aims to express a single instance related to time, is better conveyed using phrases like "one time" or "at one time". Therefore, it's advisable to avoid using "once time" in both formal and informal writing to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one time

Replaces "once" with "one time", offering a more explicit and grammatically correct alternative for indicating a single occurrence.

at one time

Adds the preposition "at" to specify a particular moment or period in the past when something occurred.

formerly

Indicates a state or condition that existed in the past but is no longer current.

previously

Highlights that something happened before the current moment or situation.

in the past

Offers a general way to refer to events or situations that occurred at some unspecified point before the present.

on one occasion

Emphasizes a specific instance or event that happened in the past.

at a prior time

Uses more formal language to indicate an earlier point in time.

back then

A more colloquial way to refer to a specific period or event in the past.

in earlier times

Emphasizes a period long ago or a time before the present.

in days gone by

A more poetic or nostalgic way to refer to past events or periods.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "once time"?

The phrase "once time" is generally considered incorrect. You should use phrases like "one time" or "at one time" instead.

When is it appropriate to use "once"?

The word "once" is appropriate when indicating a single occurrence, like in the sentence "I went there "once"." It can also be used as a conjunction, such as in "Once you start, you can't stop".

What's the difference between "once" and "one time"?

"Once" and "one time" both refer to a single occurrence, but "one time" is more explicit and can often replace "once" for clarity. "Once" also has conjunctive uses that "one time" does not.

Can I always replace "once" with "one time"?

While "one time" can often replace "once", it's not always a direct substitute. For example, in sentences like "Once upon a time", replacing "once" with "one time" would sound unnatural.