once to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'once to be' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase to denote something that happened or existed in the past. For example, "He was once to be a professional football player, but a serious injury cut his career short."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I wanted, just once, to be root.

The Guardian - Tech

Stay and dare, for once, to be happy in Britain.

The Guardian - Books

"O.K.," I said, trying, for once, to be a good mother.

The New Yorker

Was once to be in a pretty big band called The Beatles? Also in Wings?

Independent

To lose someone was once to be swept into a flurry of rituals.

The New Yorker

All the more remarkable as it appears (for once) to be the opposite of the truth.

The Guardian

Or: "To be once in doubt/Is once to be resolved".

The New York Times

I am so relieved, for once, to be presented with an athlete with class.

The New York Times - Sports

The "big society", which was once to be his governing theme, is rarely heard of these days.

The Guardian - Opinion

The exploding aluminum furniture of the young French designer Vincent Dubourg at Carpenters Workshop Gallery has to be seen — at least once — to be believed.

The New York Times - Arts

King West feels like one of those glamorous, tourist-friendly neighborhoods that was once to be avoided, like the meatpacking district in New York.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once to be" to clearly indicate a state or plan that existed at a previous time but is no longer current. This helps provide historical context or highlight a change in circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "once to be" when referring to current or ongoing situations. This phrase is specifically for describing past states or intentions that have changed or ceased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once to be" functions as part of an infinitive construction, typically indicating a past intention, state, or condition that is no longer valid. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness, and examples illustrate its use in describing prior plans or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for denoting a past state, intention, or condition that no longer exists. As validated by Ludwig AI, this phrase commonly appears in news and scientific contexts, serving to provide historical context or contrast previous situations with current ones. While grammatically correct, the phrase "once to be" can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "used to be" for greater clarity or brevity. When employing "once to be", ensure it accurately reflects a past circumstance and avoid its use in present contexts. Using Ludwig AI examples, remember that this expression can be useful in adding clarity about former plans or situations. Remember to use "once to be" to enhance the writing style and accuracy and it can make you sound educated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly intended to be

This alternative replaces "once" with "formerly" and includes "intended", emphasizing a past intention.

at one time was to be

This version rephrases "once" using "at one time", adding a bit more emphasis.

previously destined to be

This phrase uses "previously" instead of "once" and "destined" adds a sense of fate or predetermination.

in the past was to be

This emphasizes the past nature of the situation using the phrase "in the past".

earlier slated to be

This version replaces "once" with "earlier" and "slated" suggests a formal scheduling or planning.

used to be

A simpler and more common way to express something that existed in the past.

was initially going to be

This emphasizes the initial intention using "initially going to be".

originally designed to be

This highlights the original design or purpose, indicating a change in plans.

was earlier supposed to be

This expresses a prior expectation that something would happen, using "supposed to be".

had been planned to be

This shifts the focus to the planning stage, suggesting that something was intended but didn't necessarily come to fruition.

FAQs

How can I use "once to be" in a sentence?

Use "once to be" to describe something that was true or intended in the past but is no longer the case. For example, "That building was once to be a hospital, but now it's an apartment complex."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "once to be"?

You can use alternatives such as "used to be", "formerly", or "at one time" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "once to be" or should I use "used to be"?

"Once to be" is grammatically correct, but less common than "used to be". "Used to be" is generally preferred for its simplicity and wider acceptance.

What is the difference between "once to be" and "used to be"?

While both phrases describe past states, "used to be" is more frequently used and implies a habitual or repeated action or state, whereas "once to be" simply indicates a past condition or intention.