once today

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once today" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has occurred one time during the current day. Example: "I have only been to the gym once today, but I plan to go again later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

You heard their loudspeaker message once today.

The New Yorker

Instead, just do that thing, once, today.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I probably volleyed once today and missed it.

Independent

It's nice of them to turn up for once today.

The Guardian - Sport

England's openers have yet to cross over once today.

The Guardian - Sport

But once today started, I was able to relax".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

(We've already cited him once this week).

The New Yorker

Stanton has pitched once since May 16.

The New York Times - Sports

"Winning once this year is very good.

The New York Times - Sports

They did not do that once last year.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's only run once this year.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once today" to clearly and concisely indicate a single occurrence within the current day. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "once today" if the action occurred multiple times. In such cases, specify the actual number of times or use alternatives like "several times today" or "frequently today".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once today" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the frequency of an action or event within the current day. It indicates a single occurrence, adding precision to the timing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Opinion

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Sports

1%

Music

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once today" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something has occurred a single time during the current day. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use, particularly in news and media. When using "once today", ensure that the action genuinely happened only once; otherwise, choose a more accurate descriptor. Be creative with your wording using options like "one time today", or "earlier today".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Only once today

Highlights the limitation to a single occurrence.

Just once today

Similar to "only once today", emphasizing the singularity and potentially unexpected nature of the event.

One time today

Replaces "once" with "one time", offering a more explicit wording.

A single time today

Similar to "one time today", but emphasizes the singularity of the event.

Happened once today

Adds the verb "happened" for emphasis.

Occurred once today

Uses the more formal verb "occurred" instead of "happened".

A single instance today

More formal and emphasizes the particular event.

One occasion today

Emphasizes the event as a specific occasion.

Earlier today

Focuses on the timing of the event within the current day, less specific about the number of occurrences.

Previously today

Focuses on the event happening earlier in the day.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "once today"?

You can use alternatives like "one time today", "a single time today", or "earlier today" depending on the context.

How do I use "once today" correctly in a sentence?

Use "once today" to indicate that something has happened only one time during the current day. For example, "I checked my email only once today".

Is it correct to say "once this day" instead of "once today"?

While "once this day" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less common and might sound awkward. Stick to using "once today" for clarity and natural flow.

What's the difference between "once today" and "once yesterday"?

"Once today" refers to something that happened one time during the present day, whereas "once yesterday" indicates that it happened one time during the previous day.