was once

USAGE SUMMARY

"was once" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened in the past but no longer occurs or is true. Example: He was once a successful businessman, but now he works in a small shop.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or he was once.

The New Yorker

Racism was once raw.

The Economist

Ronaldinho was once incomparable.

The New York Times

This was once true.

The New York Times

THE pattern was once predictable.

The Economist

He was once colossally fat.

The Economist

I was once there myself".

The New York Times

Such rhetoric was once familiar.

The Guardian

He was once City Scavenger.

The New Yorker

She was once a dancer.

The New Yorker

She was once his student.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was once" to clearly indicate a state or condition that existed in the past but is no longer true in the present. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides context for understanding changes over time.

Common error

Avoid using "was once" when describing a state or condition that is still true. It's meant to indicate a change, so using it for something that hasn't changed is incorrect and misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was once" functions as a past state indicator. It connects a subject with a condition or identity that existed at a prior time but no longer holds true. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was once" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate a past state or condition that is no longer true. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is mostly used in a neutral register in journalistic and historical contexts, with a high frequency in news and media sources. When writing, be sure to use "was once" to provide context and highlight changes over time, avoiding its misuse to describe something that is still true. Remember there are alternative phrases you can use such as "used to be" or "formerly" for a different flavor. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "was once" into your writing and improve the clarity and impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to be

Indicates a past habit or state that is no longer true.

once was

Inverts the original phrase while maintaining the core meaning.

at one time

Emphasizes that something was true or existed in the past.

formerly

A formal way to say something was the case in the past.

previously was

Emphasizes the change from a prior state.

in the past

A general way to refer to a time before the present.

back then

Refers to a specific time in the past, often contrasting with the present.

had been

Highlights a state that existed before another event in the past.

in earlier times

A more elaborate way of referring to the past.

it was then

Highlights a past characteristic or quality.

FAQs

How do I use "was once" in a sentence?

Use "was once" to describe something that existed or was true in the past but is no longer the case. For example, "That building "was once" a school, but now it's an office building."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "was once"?

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

Is there a difference between "was once" and "used to be"?

While both phrases indicate something that was true in the past but isn't now, "used to be" often implies a habitual action or state, while "was once" simply indicates a past condition or identity.

Can I use "was once" to describe something that might return in the future?

While technically possible, "was once" is generally used to describe something that is unlikely to return in its original form. If there's a reasonable chance of it returning, consider using a phrase like "is currently not" or "is temporarily unavailable".