once working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time when something was functional or operational in the past. Example: "The machine was efficient once working, but it has since broken down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I remember once working through a 36-hour stretch.

The Guardian

Car salesman seemed a second career; Andrew imagined him once working outdoors.

The New Yorker

She was found guilty of once "working on a production line making electric fires".

The Guardian

Yet both men, once working in the White House, came to see such events as something mostly for the memories.

The New York Times

He is 15-3, winning his last seven starts despite only once working more than seven innings.

The New York Times - Sports

Once working for an outside payroller, they will begin to accrue sick time as required by law.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The world of Ibrahimovic, who grew up in one of Malmö's most notorious suburbs, is a much bigger leap than that of Larsson, who, like Lagercrantz, lived and worked in Södermalm, a once working-class Stockholm district that is now home to the cultural elite.

The Guardian - Books

Over the past 30 years, immigration has transformed these once working-class Labor heartlands into modern Australia's new frontier and muddied their political allegiances.

The Economist

During the first dot-com boom, members of the "Mission Yuppie Eradication Project" posted flyers encouraging residents of the once working-class Latino neighborhood to "vandalize yuppie cars".

The Guardian

YOUNG car enthusiasts may find it hard to believe that pickup trucks were once working-class vehicles and no more, the essential tools of tradesmen but blue-collar cousins to the family sedan.

The New York Times

She points out, too, the slightly hidden class dimension of the books, which are utterly erased from the movie: Mary is a guide from beyond the stars, but she is also a working-class nanny, and the enchanted, ceiling-sitting people she introduces her charges to are all her relatives — at once working-class Londoners and magical figures, cosmic Cockneys.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once working" to clearly indicate a state or activity that was true in the past but is no longer the case. This helps to avoid ambiguity regarding the current status.

Common error

Avoid using "once working" when the subject is still currently working or functional. This phrase implies a change of state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once working" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a past state of being employed or operational. It modifies the subject, specifying a prior condition. Ludwig examples demonstrate its versatility in describing past jobs, functional states, and social conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once working" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a past state of employment or functionality. Ludwig confirms its widespread use and grammatical correctness. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Academic and Wiki contexts, and serves to provide historical context and contrast with a present condition. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid using it when the subject is still currently working or functional to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly employed

Focuses specifically on previous employment, differing from general past actions.

earlier employed

Similar to "formerly employed", but slightly less common in usage.

once operational

Similar to "previously functioning", but more general and less technical.

previously functioning

Emphasizes the past operational state of something, applicable to machines or systems.

formerly active

Describes past activity or engagement in a certain role.

previously in operation

Focuses on the past state of something being active or running.

used to work

Indicates a past habitual action of working, less formal than "formerly employed".

having worked before

Highlights the experience gained from past work.

in the past worked

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of past work experience.

at one time working

Highlights a specific period in the past when someone was working.

FAQs

What does "once working" mean?

The phrase "once working" means that something or someone was employed or functional at a certain time in the past, but is not necessarily so now. For example, "He was once working as a chef" indicates he is no longer in that position.

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

You can use "once working" to describe a past state or profession. For instance, "The factory, "previously functioning", is now closed." or "She, "formerly employed", now volunteers her time."

What are some alternatives to "once working"?

Some alternatives include "formerly employed", "previously functioning", or "used to work", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "once working"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.