once upon installation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once upon installation" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you are narrating a story or explaining a process that begins at the point of installation, but it is unconventional. Example: "Once upon installation, the software began to configure itself automatically, leading to a seamless user experience."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The droplet reader was calibrated once upon installation of the ddPCR system at the National Measurement Institute, Australia.

Analytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

ONCE UPON A RIVER, by Bonnie Jo Campbell Nortonn, $25.95).

The New York Times - Books

ONCE UPON A SECRET, by Mimi Alford.

The New York Times

14 1 ONCE UPON A TOWN, by Bob Greene.

The New York Times - Books

The thinking goes that where once the installation of the wedding ring upon the bridal finger was a proprietary act, now the swapping of rings symbolises equality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once your installation is configured, the files will be downloaded and installed automatically.

WikiHow

Once the installation is complete, you will be taken to your repaired install of Windows.

WikiHow

Building a fairy tale wonderland, Once Upon a Festival boasts fully immersive installations, stages, galleries, and environments 24 hours a day.

Huffington Post

Another striking installation is Annette Messager's "Once Upon a Time... Four Stories," an artful arrangement of cradles, a bed, dressmakers' dummies and old farm tools.

The New York Times - Arts

Once the installation was complete, Ms. Hudgins was ecstatic.

The New York Times

In exchange for using the programs, upon installation, you're required to agree to accept advertising.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions that occur at the time of or immediately after installation, consider using more common phrases like "immediately after installation" or "upon installation" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "once upon installation" in technical documents or manuals where a clear and precise description is required. This phrase sounds more suitable for storytelling than for technical instructions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once upon installation" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a point in time relative to the installation of something. Though unusual, it sets a temporal context, akin to "upon installation," but with a narrative tone, as also suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once upon installation" is an unconventional way to describe events occurring at the time of installation. As Ludwig suggests, while understandable, it is not standard English and may be perceived as informal or narrative in tone. For technical or formal contexts, clearer alternatives like "upon installation" or "immediately after installation" are preferable. The phrase's infrequent usage and primary presence in wiki, news, and science contexts suggest it might be suitable for creative or less formal descriptions, but should be avoided in scenarios requiring precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On completion of installation

Emphasizes the finished state of the installation.

Upon installing

A more concise way of saying at the time of installing.

Immediately after installation

Specifies a time frame directly following the installation process.

Post-installation

A shorter, more technical term to indicate after installation.

At the point of installation

Emphasizes the specific moment when the installation occurs.

When the installation is done

Emphasizes the completed status of the installation before a subsequent action.

Right after the setup

Focuses on the setup process rather than just the installation.

Subsequent to installation

Formal phrasing indicating what happens after an installation.

Following the installation process

Highlights the procedure of installing something.

After setting it up

Informal phrasing that refers to the act of configuring something.

FAQs

What does "once upon installation" mean?

The phrase "once upon installation" is an unconventional way to describe something that happens at the time of, or shortly after, a software or hardware installation. It's similar to saying "upon installation", but with a more narrative or storytelling tone.

Is "once upon installation" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "once upon installation" is not a standard grammatical construction. It might be understood in context, but using phrases like "upon installation" or "immediately after installation" is clearer and more common.

When is it appropriate to use "once upon installation"?

This phrase might be appropriate in informal contexts or when trying to create a narrative effect. However, in technical documentation or formal writing, it's better to use more precise alternatives such as "at the time of installation" or "following installation".

What are some alternatives to "once upon installation"?

Common alternatives include "upon installation", "after installation", "immediately after installation", or "on completion of installation". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.