that was once

USAGE SUMMARY

"that was once" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to something in the past. For example, "He used to play football, but that was once."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The autonomous vehicle revolution that was once dismissed is happening.

Harvard University

"Egypt is resuming its role that was once abdicated".

The New York Times

Peppers will improve a defense that was once dominant.

The New York Times

"Information that was once released is now withheld.

The New York Times

Factories inevitably occupy land that was once state-held.

The Economist

It is an existence that was once fairly common.

The New York Times - Magazine

Zhengzhou is a remote Chinese city that was once impoverished.

The New York Times - Tech

The neighborhood that was once home to Clement Clarke Moore.

The New York Times - Arts

Tillandsia utriculata is a tank bromeliad that was once widespread from central to south Florida.

Acta Oecologica

Are they relics of forest that was once continuous or are they patches of regenerated vegetation?

Forest Ecology and Management

He lives in the Princeton home that was once the residence of Albert Einstein.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was once" to highlight a transformation or change over time. It's effective for emphasizing the contrast between a past state and the present.

Common error

Avoid using "that was once" when simply referring to something in the past without implying a change. Use a simple past tense instead. For example, instead of "The building that was once a store is now an office" if you're simply stating its history, say "The building used to be a store."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was once" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun or noun phrase. It provides additional information about something's past state, implying a contrast with its current condition. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was once" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that has undergone a change, contrasting its past state with its current condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions grammatically as a relative clause and appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly emphasizes a transformation. Alternative phrases like "formerly" or "used to be" can be suitable substitutes depending on the desired tone and emphasis. Common writing errors include using it when simply referring to the past without intending to highlight a change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once was

This alternative reverses the word order, offering a slightly different emphasis without changing the core meaning.

used to be

This is a more common and versatile alternative, applicable in both formal and informal settings.

at one time

This phrase emphasizes a specific point in the past when something was true.

formerly

This single-word alternative is more concise, suitable for formal contexts where brevity is valued.

previously

Similar to 'formerly', this is a more formal and concise option.

in the past

This is a general alternative that indicates something occurred or was true previously.

earlier in time

This option highlights the temporal aspect of something existing or being true before.

what it used to be

This alternative suggests a more significant change or decline from the past state.

in bygone days

This phrase evokes a sense of nostalgia or a distant past.

in former times

Similar to 'in bygone days', this emphasizes a time long past.

FAQs

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

Use "that was once" to describe something that has changed from a previous state. For example, "The city "that was once" a small town is now a bustling metropolis."

What are some alternatives to "that was once"?

You can use alternatives like "formerly", "used to be", or "at one time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that once was" instead of "that was once"?

While "that once was" is grammatically correct, ""that was once"" is more commonly used and sounds more natural in most contexts.

How does using "that was once" change the meaning of a sentence?

Using ""that was once"" implies a contrast between a past state and the current state, highlighting the transformation or change that has occurred. Without it, you are simply referring to something in the past.