the one time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the one time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific occasion or instance when something happened, often implying that it was unique or notable. Example: "I only tried skydiving the one time, and it was an unforgettable experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But this was the one time".

The New York Times - Sports

And that's the one time we agree with Hillary.

The New York Times

I met you the one time and I studied you.

The Washington Post

It's the one time… Yes, I was in a mess.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It's the one time that they're winking at the camera".

The New York Times

That's the one time that we got along.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The one-time food exporter became dependent on foreign aid.

The Guardian

Originally, the one-time pad approach was designed to perform XOR operations on binary codes.

BioMed Research International

The one-time Under-20 World Champion?

The Guardian - Sport

"I'd have to respectfully disagree," the one-time 'Superbrat' replied.

Independent

The one-time Labour citadels that fell are jaw-dropping.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the one time" to emphasize the uniqueness or rarity of an event. For instance, "The one time I forgot my umbrella, it poured all day."

Common error

Avoid using "the one time" when referring to habitual actions or general truths. It's best suited for specific, isolated instances. Instead of saying "The one time I go to the store, it's crowded", consider "Every time I go to the store, it's crowded."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the one time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by specifying the occasion on which something happened. Ludwig AI shows this phrase appears mostly in news and media, science and wiki sources, acting as a temporal specifier.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the one time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a specific instance, often implying uniqueness or significance. As Ludwig AI shows, it's most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki sources. When writing, use it to highlight a specific event, avoiding its application to general truths or habitual actions. Consider alternatives like "that singular instance" for variety. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively use "the one time" to add clarity and emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that singular instance

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the event, suggesting it happened only once.

the only instance

Underscores the exclusivity of the event.

the sole occasion

Emphasizes that there were no other instances of the event.

on that occasion

Refers to a specific event without necessarily implying it was unique.

a single instance

Highlights the fact that something occurred only once.

only that once

Similar to "just once", but with a slightly different emphasis.

just once

Indicates that something happened only a single time, briefly.

that unique event

Highlights the distinctive nature of the occurrence.

one solitary time

Adds an element of isolation or infrequency to the event.

that particular moment

Focuses on a specific point in time when something happened.

FAQs

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

Use "the one time" to refer to a specific instance, often implying it was unique or notable. For example, "The one time I met him, he was incredibly kind."

What's a good alternative to "the one time"?

Alternatives include "that singular instance", "on that occasion", or "a single instance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the one time that"?

Yes, "the one time that" is grammatically correct and commonly used to introduce a clause providing more information about the specific instance. For example, "The one time that I saw her, she was laughing."

What's the difference between "the one time" and "every time"?

"The one time" refers to a single, specific occurrence, while "every time" indicates a recurring event or habit. For example, "The one time I tried sushi, I didn't like it" vs. "Every time I go there, it's busy."