one time

USAGE SUMMARY

"one time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a single occurrence of something. For example: "I went to the store one time and they didn't have the product in stock.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Click on "One Time Payment.

WikiHow

One time, that's on me.

The New York Times

"One time is sufficient".

The New York Times - Sports

"One time," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

One time, it was milkweed.

The New York Times - Food

"One time is too many.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

(Another "one-time sale").

The New York Times

It's a one-time sell".

The New Yorker

One-time passwords.

Stanford University

Both winners are one-time California castoffs.

The New York Times

It's usually a one-time thing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one time" to clearly indicate a single occurrence, especially when contrasting it with multiple or repeated instances.

Common error

Avoid using "one time" when you mean "at one time", which indicates a past period or era, not a single instance. For example, say "At one time, this city was a small village", not "One time, this city was a small village".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the frequency or occurrence of an action. As Ludwig AI explains, it specifies that something happened only on a single occasion. This usage is supported by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

28%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one time" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that functions as an adverbial, indicating a single occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for specifying the frequency of an event. It maintains a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into diverse contexts ranging from news and media to academic discussions. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish its meaning from "at one time", ensuring clarity in your writing. With numerous examples available, understanding and applying "one time" effectively is readily achievable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once

A simpler, single-word synonym for "one time".

on one occasion

More formal and emphasizes a specific instance.

a single time

Emphasizes the singularity of the event.

just once

Adds emphasis to the fact that it only happened a single time.

a solitary instance

More formal and highlights the isolated nature of the occurrence.

a unique occasion

Highlights the distinctiveness of the event.

in one instance

Focuses on a particular example.

for a single moment

Emphasizes the brevity of the occurrence.

at one point

Indicates a specific moment in time when something happened.

in a past instance

Focuses on something that happened in a past event.

FAQs

How can I use "one time" in a sentence?

Use "one time" to describe a single instance of an event or action. For example, "I saw him "one time" at the store".

What is a synonym for "one time"?

Alternatives to "one time" include "once", "on one occasion", or "a single time".

Is it correct to say "one time" or "one time only"?

Both phrases are correct, but "one time only" emphasizes that something happens or is valid only a single time.

What's the difference between "one time" and "at one time"?

"One time" refers to a single instance, while "at one time" refers to a period in the past. For example, "At one time, I lived in New York" means you lived there in the past.