only once before

USAGE SUMMARY

"only once before" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to refer to a prior occurrence of something that occurred only once before. For example: "He had seen the show only once before, and he was excited to see it again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only once before had this happened--in ancient Greece.

Stanford University

Only once before, in 1988, has this occurred.

The New York Times

The spillway has been opened only once before, in 1973.

The New York Times

That has occurred only once before, last year.

The New York Times

And then there is the Morganza, opened only once before, in 1973.

The New York Times

Only once before, in 1977, has Washington used a tax credit to jump-start hiring.

The New York Times

Only once before has an LPC recommendation not been followed.Mr Osborne plans no such intervention.

The Economist

Only scant evidence exists because only once before has a team had to rebound from one.

The New York Times - Sports

Greece has been to the tournament only once before, in 1994.

The New York Times - Sports

Only once before, in 2006, has Mickelson held the 54-hole lead in this tournament.

The New York Times - Sports

Only once before had he seen anything like it: World War II.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear what time frame you are referencing when you use "only once before" for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "only once before" without specifying the timeframe. For instance, instead of saying 'This has happened only once before', clarify with 'This has happened only once before in the last decade' to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

"Only once before" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the frequency of an event. It indicates that something has occurred a single time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only once before" is a grammatically sound and widely used adverbial phrase that serves to highlight the unique and infrequent nature of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits seamlessly into various writing styles, from formal reports to news articles. It's prevalent in News & Media, Science and Academia and serves as a clear indicator that something has occurred a single time previously. When using this phrase, ensure the timeframe is clear to prevent any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just one time previously

Emphasizes the singularity of the past event with a slightly more formal tone.

only a single time prior

Highlights the exclusivity of the previous occurrence.

on one previous occasion alone

Adds formality and stresses the uniqueness of the past event.

merely one time in the past

Underlines the limited number of times it happened.

never again except once

Uses negative framing to emphasize the rarity.

a solitary instance earlier

Replaces common words with more literary alternatives.

in a single prior case

Presents the situation in a factual, concise way.

just once in the annals

Infuses a sense of historical record-keeping.

but a single precedent

Conveys legal or formal rarity in occurrence.

one other time, and no more

Clearly sets a strict limit on the number of occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "only once before" in a sentence?

Use "only once before" to indicate something happened a single time in the past. For example, "The spillway has been opened "only once before", in 1973."

What phrases are similar to "only once before"?

Similar phrases include "just one time previously", "a solitary instance earlier", or "merely one time in the past", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "only once before"?

Yes, "only once before" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something has happened a single time previously.

Can "only once before" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "only once before" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, as it is a straightforward and clear way to express a single prior occurrence.