was once considered

USAGE SUMMARY

"was once considered" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something that is no longer accepted or true. For example, "Classical education was once considered the only acceptable form of education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Friendster was once considered a hot property.

The New York Times - Tech

This was once considered constitutionally dubious.

The Economist

SM: Zika was once considered an obscure virus.

Columbia University

Mobile telephony was once considered a niche market.

MIT Technology Review

Gluttony was once considered one of the seven deadly sins.

MIT Technology Review

Education was once considered purely a state and local matter.

The New York Times - Books

And what was once considered moderate – Snowe – no longer exists.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Hobby Lobby was once considered a long shot).

The New Yorker

Google was once considered a potential acquirer of Baidu.

The New York Times

It was once considered a snub to authority.

The New York Times

But mayoral control was once considered a naïve goal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was once considered" to highlight a shift in perspective or understanding over time. This is particularly effective when contrasting past beliefs with current realities.

Common error

Don't use "was once considered" to describe something that is inherently transient or subjective. For example, stating "the color blue was once considered fashionable" is less impactful than "single-use plastic was once considered a miracle material".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was once considered" functions as a passive voice construction indicating a past perception or belief that has changed over time. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in highlighting shifts in opinions, practices, or values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was once considered" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past belief or perception that has since changed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used to highlight shifts in societal norms, understanding, or values, across various contexts. Predominantly featured in news and media, this phrase serves to contrast past viewpoints with current ones, providing context and showcasing evolution. When using "was once considered", remember to avoid stating the obvious and ensure that the contrasting element is impactful and relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to be regarded as

Emphasizes past perception without implying present judgment; slightly more formal.

was formerly viewed as

Highlights a previous perspective, indicating a change in viewpoint.

used to be thought of as

Focuses on past beliefs or opinions, suggesting a shift in understanding.

was previously deemed

Implies a formal assessment or judgment that has since been altered.

once held the status of

Highlights a change in importance, relevance, or position.

was at one time seen as

Highlights a past perspective, indicating a change in viewpoint.

has since been reevaluated

Focuses on the act of reassessment and the resulting change in perception.

is now viewed differently

Emphasizes the contrast between past and present perspectives.

is no longer regarded as

Directly states the current lack of acceptance or belief.

initially garnered a different impression

This is most formal and is appropriate for a scholarly or formal writing context. It speaks to the initial impression of something and implies that there has been a shift from that initial view.

FAQs

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

Use "was once considered" to introduce an idea, belief, or practice that has changed over time. For example, "Remote work "was once considered" a niche benefit, but is now increasingly common".

What are some alternatives to "was once considered"?

You can use alternatives like "used to be regarded as", "was formerly viewed as", or "used to be thought of as" to express a similar meaning.

Which is correct: "was once considered" or "is once considered"?

"Was once considered" is the correct past tense form to indicate something that was true in the past but is no longer the case. "Is once considered" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "was once considered" and "is now considered"?

"Was once considered" refers to a past belief or understanding, while "is now considered" refers to the current perspective. They are often used together to highlight a change in viewpoint, for example, "Spanking was once considered acceptable discipline, but is now considered harmful by many".