there are once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are once" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It cannot be used in any context as it stands, as it combines a plural form with a singular adverb inappropriately. Example: "There are once a time when people believed in magic." (This is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"But it's amazing how many piers there are, once you start adding them all up.

The New York Times

At a time when South Africa's mines, and the conditions of those who work there, are once more in the news, he explains what inspired On the Mines, and his thoughts on the tragic shootings at Lonmin's Marikana mine.

BBC

Sexual games such as spin the bottle or strip poker can be fun at the time, but always remember there are, once again, possibilities that this could turn out to ruin the night.

WikiHow

There are once again lots of buses and bus stations.

The New York Times - Arts

One of her theories is that there are (once again) two kinds of people when it comes to intelligence.

The New Yorker

As a result, people who were working from home are being told there are once again desks for them at the office.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

There are once-abstract experiences, like being stung by a bee, that suddenly bring real pain.

The New York Times - Books

Then there are once-a-week programs that do not constitute a full-fledged alternative to summer camp, but are more affordable and can give children a change of scenery.

The New York Times - Travel

"There are once-in-a-lifetime deals that come your way.

BBC

There was, once again, serious violence.

The New York Times - Sports

"There Was Once... ...... serves that function precisely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "there was once" for singular subjects or "there used to be" to indicate something existed in the past but no longer does. This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Do not use "there are" with "once" because "once" implies a singular instance. Instead, use "there was once" for singular instances or rephrase to avoid the error altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are once" is intended to introduce a past event or state, but its grammatical structure is incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its incorrectness, suggesting alternatives such as "there was once". While the intent might be to narrate a past scenario, the form is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there are once" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase incorrectly combines plural and singular forms. While it appears infrequently across News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources, opting for grammatically correct alternatives such as "there was once" or "there used to be" ensures clarity and correctness. Utilizing these alternatives enhances the quality and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was once

Changes plural "are" to singular "was", making it grammatically correct for a singular event in the past.

once there were

Reverses the order for emphasis, but still describes a past situation. More suitable in storytelling contexts.

there used to be

Implies that something existed in the past but no longer does. Focuses on discontinued existence.

in the past there were

Adds temporal context, emphasizing that the situation occurred in the past.

at one time there were

Highlights a specific period when something existed. Adds a sense of a former era.

there have been times

Emphasizes multiple instances or occasions in the past, shifting focus to recurring events.

there were formerly

Formally indicates a past state that has changed, fitting for formal contexts.

previously there were

Similar to "formerly", this highlights that past conditions have changed.

earlier there were

Indicates that the situation existed before a certain point in time.

back then there were

Informally refers to a past period, suitable for casual conversation.

FAQs

Is "there are once" grammatically correct?

No, "there are once" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be "there was once" for singular instances or "there used to be" to refer to something that existed in the past.

When should I use "there was once" instead of "there are once"?

Use "there was once" when you are referring to a single event or item in the past. The phrase "there are once" incorrectly mixes plural and singular forms.

What are some alternatives to "there are once" to indicate something existed in the past?

Alternatives include "there used to be", "once there was", or simply rephrasing the sentence to use past tense verbs.

How can I avoid making mistakes when using phrases to describe past events?

Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement. Ensure that singular subjects are paired with singular verbs (e.g., "there was"), and plural subjects with plural verbs (e.g., "there are"). Using "there used to be" can also help avoid these issues.