were used only once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were used only once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was utilized a single time, often in contexts discussing items, events, or data. Example: "The special edition stamps were used only once during the charity event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Some personas he took from acquaintances and others from strangers; some were used only once and others returned to again and again.

The Guardian

In a survey of its own printers, copiers and waste-paper bins, Xerox found that two out of five sheets printed were used only once and then discarded after a day.That seems an awful waste.

The Economist

China mobile users in top cities try out more apps than Americans, but they also drop them faster – in 2015, 43% of apps were used only once by Chinese that downloaded them.

Forbes

There were 5764 keywords listed by authors, however, 24,417 (74.18 %) keywords were used only once, 3690 (11.30 %) keywords were used twice, and the large number of once-only author keywords most likely indicated a lack of continuity in research and a wide disparity in research focuses (Chuang et al. 2007).

Applied Water Science

In a study in the Solling range of hills in Germany, more than 60% of all sleeping places were used only once, but those used at least ten times accounted for about 70% of all uses.

Wikipedia

All males and females were used only once.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

We identified 252 different ways to measure fatigue, of which 150 were use only once.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Each passcode can be used only once.

Stanford University

The lot is used only once a year now.

The New York Times

Since its passage, the CRA has been used only once.

The Washington Post

One such is syringes that can be used only once.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental procedures or data handling, use "were used only once" to clearly state that data points or subjects were not reused, ensuring data independence.

Common error

Avoid using "were used only once" when you mean "were used rarely". "Were used only once" indicates a strict, singular use, while "rarely used" suggests infrequent but potentially repeated use. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the frequency of usage to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were used only once" functions as a descriptive statement, specifying a condition of singular use. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly employed across various domains to indicate that something was utilized a single time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were used only once" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate single-time utilization. As per Ludwig, its primary function is to ensure clarity and transparency, especially in scientific, academic, and technical contexts. While it is appropriate across a wide range of communication types, being precise about its meaning—indicating singular use versus simply infrequent use—is crucial. When alternative phrasings are desired, options like "were utilized one time only" or "had single use" can provide nuanced substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were employed just once

Replaces "used" with "employed" and "only once" with "just once", offering a slightly more formal tone.

were utilized one time only

Substitutes "used" with "utilized" and rearranges "only once" to "one time only", emphasizing the single instance.

had single use

Condenses the original phrase into a shorter, more direct statement about single use.

were exclusively for one-time application

Highlights the exclusivity and limitation to a single application, suitable for technical contexts.

were solely used on one occasion

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the occasion and the limited use of the subject.

saw only one application

Uses a more figurative expression, focusing on the application rather than the usage itself.

were dispensed after a single use

Highlights the action taken after a single instance of use, appropriate for procedures or protocols.

were intended for single-time usage

Focuses on the intent behind the usage, suggesting a design or plan for single use.

were not for reuse

Emphasizes the non-reusable aspect, suitable for warnings or instructions.

were disposable after the event

Focuses on the disposability aspect after the event.

FAQs

What does "were used only once" mean?

The phrase "were used only once" means that something was utilized or employed a single time and not reused. It emphasizes the singularity of the use in a specific context.

How can I rephrase "were used only once"?

You can rephrase it using alternatives like "were utilized one time only", "had single use", or "were employed just once" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were used only once"?

Yes, "were used only once" is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in various contexts.

In what contexts is "were used only once" typically used?

The phrase "were used only once" is typically used in scientific research, experimental procedures, and technical documentation to indicate that items or data points were used in a single instance to maintain integrity and prevent bias.