once were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once were" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to something that existed in the past but no longer exists. For example, "Once were towering forests, now there's only a few trees left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And so they once were.

The Economist

And there once were.

The New York Times

Kakapo once were everywhere in New Zealand.

The New Yorker

What once were five now are three.

The New Yorker

Pennies once were sure to glean.

The New Yorker

Old-fashioned albums once were good.

The New Yorker

I know what they once were".

The New York Times - Sports

But that advice can gall those of us who once were faster, once were slimmer, once were superbly fit.

The New York Times

Only once were we tempted to splurge.

The New York Times - Style

There once were three players, all flighty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dark holes stood where buildings once were.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once were" to evoke a sense of change or loss, highlighting a contrast between a past state and the present.

Common error

Avoid using "once were" when describing a situation that still exists or has not definitively changed. Ensure the subject is clearly no longer in the state described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once were" functions as a descriptor of a past state or condition that no longer exists. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. The phrase typically precedes a noun or noun phrase, indicating what once existed or was true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once were" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe past states that no longer exist. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to highlight a contrast between the past and the present, often evoking a sense of change or loss. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using "once were", ensure that you are describing a situation that has definitively changed, and be mindful of the plural form to match the subject. Alternatives like "used to be" or "formerly existed" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to be

Focuses on a habitual or common state in the past that is no longer true.

formerly existed

Highlights the past existence of something, often in a formal context.

previously been

Emphasizes a prior state or condition that has changed.

at one time were

Indicates that something was true at a specific point in the past, but not anymore.

in the past were

Simply denotes a past condition without specifying duration or habit.

had been

Indicates a past perfect state, often implying a change or end to that state.

did exist

Highlights that something existed in the past.

back then were

Emphasizes a past time period when something was true.

in earlier times were

Highlights historical contexts and past conditions.

in bygone days were

Conveys a sense of nostalgia and past conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "once were" in a sentence?

Use "once were" to describe something that existed in the past but no longer exists in the same state. For example, "The towering forests "once were", but now there are only a few trees left".

What's a good alternative to "once were"?

Alternatives to "once were" include "used to be", "formerly existed", or "previously been", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "once was" instead of "once were"?

No, "once was" is used for singular subjects, while "once were" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The empire "once was" powerful", but "The empires "once were" powerful".

How does the connotation of "once were" differ from "used to be"?

"Once were" often implies a sense of loss, change, or nostalgia, while "used to be" simply describes a past state. "The bustling market "once were" a vibrant hub" suggests a greater impact than "The bustling market "used to be" a vibrant hub".