that once was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that once was" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in a sentence to describe something that used to exist or be present, but no longer is. Example: The old park, that once was a beautiful and bustling gathering place for the community, now sits abandoned and overgrown with weeds.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That once was, the tattoo says, and the memory remains, even as it becomes strange.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ordinarily we may think of the past as a nothing that once was a something.

SEP

To celebrate this nostalgia and recognize the rather cool company that once was, I present: the Helio Ocean 3.

TechCrunch

The sign looked to me like a grave marker for the West that once was.

Vice

Photography memorializes something that once was, but no longer is; photography packages the past as aesthetic form.

Los Angeles Times

All that once was directly lived has become mere representation".

The Guardian - Opinion

But Mr. Williams said that once was enough.

The New York Times - Arts

A currency that once was worth two dollars to the dinar is now worthless.

The Guardian

The writer had been married once & he felt that once was enough.

The New Yorker

Contractors supply the battlefield support that once was the work of soldiers.

The New York Times - Books

It's how some scrappy little upstart like Microsoft overthrew the colossus that once was IBM.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that once was" to evoke a sense of nostalgia or highlight a significant change over time. It's particularly effective when contrasting past and present states.

Common error

Avoid using "that once was" when referring to hypothetical or future situations. This phrase is strictly for describing something that definitively existed in the past but no longer does.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that once was" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by providing additional information about its past state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is used adjectivally to describe something no longer existing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that once was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause that describes something that existed in the past but no longer does. According to Ludwig, its function is adjectival. It is particularly common in News & Media, Academia and Science, where it serves to evoke change, loss, or nostalgia by contrasting past and present states. While versatile, it is best used to describe definitive past existences and avoided in hypothetical contexts. Consider alternatives like "what used to be" or "formerly known as" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which was once

A more concise and direct way of saying "that once was".

that previously was

Replaces 'once' with 'previously' for a slightly more formal tone.

what used to be

Highlights the transformation from a past state to the present.

what it used to be

Similar to 'what used to be' but slightly more emphatic.

which previously existed

Focuses on the prior existence of something, using a more formal tone.

in its earlier form

Highlights the prior form or condition of something.

in its former state

Highlights a contrast between the past and present condition of something.

that existed before

Emphasizes the prior existence of something without implying current non-existence as strongly.

as it was

Focuses on describing a past state without necessarily implying a change.

formerly known as

Specifically refers to a change in name or identity.

FAQs

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

Use "that once was" to describe something that existed or was true in the past but is no longer so. For example, "The vibrant community "that once was" is now just a memory".

What phrases are similar to "that once was"?

Similar phrases include "what used to be", "formerly known as", and "which previously existed".

Is "that once was" formal or informal?

"That once was" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in descriptive or narrative writing. More formal alternatives might include "in its former state".

Can "that once was" be used to describe people?

Yes, "that once was" can describe people, particularly to highlight a change in their character, status, or condition. For example, "The athlete "that once was" is now a coach".