she once was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she once was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a past state or condition of a person, often indicating that the state has changed. Example: "She once was a talented musician, but now she has chosen a different path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, their names are Carlotta and Travis Farquar, and she once was an actress.

The New Yorker

The Queen also conducts introspective dialogues with the Princess she once was.

The New York Times

The girl she once was in the summer dress had always known this could happen.

The New York Times

Well, she knows she isn't the big cheese she once was.

The New York Times

In any case, she is not as spry as she once was.

The Economist

She once was ranked No. 8 in the world among all players, men and women combined.

The New York Times

The governor is not as popular as she once was in her state.

The New York Times

For Shvedova, this tournament represents a return to where she once was.

The New York Times

She will always live in our memories as the woman she once was.

The New York Times

She is 40 and has the regal bearing of the show rider she once was.

The New York Times - Sports

Colleagues whispered behind her back, saying she was a shadow of the person she once was.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she once was" to subtly contrast a past state or identity with the present, implying a change or transformation. For example, "She once was a shy student, but now she's a confident leader."

Common error

Avoid using "she once was" when referring to a current state. Ensure the phrase accurately reflects a past condition that no longer exists. Instead, use "she is" or "she has been" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she once was" functions as a descriptive element, highlighting a past state or role that the subject no longer occupies. It introduces a contrast with the present, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she once was" effectively communicates a past state or identity, often implying a contrast with the present. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase serves to provide background or context, highlighting a transformation or change. Ludwig AI provides a high expert rating given the phrase's grammatical soundness, source authority and usage consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she used to be

Emphasizes a habitual or continuous state in the past.

she formerly was

Highlights a more formal or official change in status.

she had been

Focuses on a completed action or state before a specific point in time.

she was previously

Indicates a state that existed at an earlier time.

she at one time was

Highlights a specific point in the past when a state existed.

she has been

Focuses on the completed action that has consequences in the present.

she in the past was

Emphasizes something in the past in contrast to now.

she is a former

More direct way of expressing that she occupied that former position.

she at an earlier time was

Indicates the time component where she was

she previously had been

Highlights that she occupied that role before

FAQs

How can I use "she once was" in a sentence?

Use "she once was" to describe a past state or identity that has changed. For example, "She once was a promising athlete, but an injury ended her career."

What phrases are similar to "she once was"?

Similar phrases include "she used to be", "she formerly was", or "she had been". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "she once is"?

No, "she once is" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase to use is "she once was", which refers to a past state. "She is" refers to a current state.

What's the difference between "she once was" and "she is now"?

"She once was" describes a previous state, while "she is now" describes the current state. Together, they highlight a change or transformation over time.