that one time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that one time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single event or experience that happened at some point in the past. For example, "I remember that one time I went skiing with my family and ended up falling in the snow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

As for that one time they meet?

The New York Times

Apart from that one time she accused me of having man's legs.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The boys in the back did a great job except for that one time," Howard said.

The New York Times - Sports

Apart from that one time I went to a construction-themed sex dungeon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Except for that one time.

TechCrunch

Except maybe that one time.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But after that one-time increase, the renminbi barely rose for months.

The New York Times

But excluding that one-time gain, Ford's fourth-quarter operating profit declined.

The New York Times

Without that one-time benefit, the unit would have shown a 10percentt increase.

The New York Times

Despite that, one-time gains and demand for stents drove profit higher.

The New York Times

Now that one-time asset has become a huge liability for the taxpayers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that one time" to refer back to a specific event already understood by your audience to enhance brevity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "that one time" if the event isn't clear to your audience. Provide necessary context first to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that one time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating a specific point in the past when an event occurred. This is supported by Ludwig's examples where the phrase is used to provide temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that one time" is a versatile and common way to reference a specific event in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its informal tone makes it less appropriate for formal or academic writing, "that one time" serves as an effective and concise way to introduce a narrative or evoke a shared memory. Remember to provide clear context when using this phrase to ensure your audience understands the event you're referencing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on that occasion

More formal alternative, suitable for professional contexts.

that specific instance

Similar to "during that instance" but slightly more formal.

during that instance

Emphasizes a particular moment or event.

when that occurred

Formal and emphasizes the event's occurrence.

in that singular case

Highlights the uniqueness of the event.

at that particular moment

Focuses on the specific timing of the event.

the time when that happened

More descriptive and less concise.

that fateful day

Adds a sense of destiny or importance.

on one occasion

More generic, less specific to a known event.

in those days

Refers to a period, not a single event.

FAQs

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

You can use "that one time" to refer to a specific past event, for example, "I remember "that one time" we went to the beach and it started raining."

What phrases are similar to "that one time"?

Similar phrases include "on that occasion", "during that instance", or "at that particular moment", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to start a sentence with "that one time"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "that one time" is grammatically correct and can effectively set the scene or introduce a specific memory. However, ensure the context is clear for your audience.

When should I avoid using "that one time"?

Avoid using "that one time" when the event you're referring to is not clearly established or understood by your audience. In such cases, provide more specific details or context.